i88 THE COACHING ERA 



Those were the days when Peytons grays 



To Bedfont led the way, sir, 

 And Villebois followed with his bays 



In beautiful array, sir. 

 Then Spicer too, came next in view 



To join the gay procession. 

 Oh! the dust we made — the cavalcade 



Was neat beyond expression. 



No turnpike saw a fancy team 



More neat than Dolphin sported, 

 When o'er the stones with Charley Jones 



To Bedfont they resorted. 

 Few graced the box as much as Cox; 



But there were none I ween, sir, 

 Who held the reins 'twixt here and Staines 



More slap up than the Dean, sir. 



Those are the men who foremost then 



To coaching gave a tone, sir, 

 And hold they will to coaching still, 



Tho' here they stand alone, sir. 

 Then drink to the coach, the B.D.C., 



Sir Henry and his team, sir. 

 And may all be hlozued right off the road, 



Who wish to go by steam, sir. 



Two other famous driving clubs were the Four 

 Horse Club founded by Mr. Charles Buxton in 1808, 

 and the Richmond Driving Club, of 1838, instituted by 

 Lord Chesterfield, who insisted that the members 

 "should drive like coachmen, but look like gentlemen," 

 thus pointing the finger of derision at many of the 

 Amateurs who outcoachmaned the professionals in 

 manners and appearance. 



