COACHING COMPETITION 91 



To the same class belonged those called after animals 

 renowned for swiftness of limb or wing: The Greyhound, 

 The Antelope, The Reindeer, The Stag, The Spread 

 Eagle, The Swallow, and so forth. 



The very sound of such names would be enough to 

 terrify nervous old ladies and gentlemen nearly out of 

 their seven senses. But, as old ladies and gentlemen 

 formed no inconsiderable portion of travellers, they were 

 provided with steady going coaches such as The Life 

 Preserver, The Good Intent, The Accommodation, 

 The Reliance, and others with names equally solid or 

 respeftable. 



For the loyally inclined there were The Star of 

 Brunswick, The Regent, The Royal Clarence, The Prince 

 of Wales, The Princess Charlotte, The Queen, and The 

 Roval William. 



Soldiers and Patriots would be attracted by the names 

 of famous commanders and their viftories, such as The 

 Duke of Wellington, The Lord Nelson, The Rodney, 

 The Trafalgar. 



Topical events were often utilized by astute pro- 

 prietors, and the excitement caused by the Balloon 

 ascents made that name a common one, whilst the ap- 

 pearance of a Comet in the sky gave rise to a number of 

 Comets on the road, and the introduction of railways 

 was responsible for such inappropriate titles as The 

 Railway, and The Steam Horse coaches. 



Names instinct with bitter rivalry were The Spitfire 

 and The Vixen, which did their level best to run each 

 other off the North Road. The Retaliator threatened 



