BRIGHTON, BATH, AND DOVER ROADS. 239 



of the hills we only kept in the road by the use of the whip ; 

 no use pulling at their heads their heads only came, and not 

 their bodies ; and to keep them and the coach out of the ditch, 

 nothing but a smart smack over the neck or shoulder would do it. 

 We ran from London by Kew Bridge and Richmond, pulled up 

 at the Greyhound to water, and pick up passengers and parcels. 

 George Clark- a very fine coachman was over eighteen stone 

 weight. If the coach was full I used to send him down by rail. 

 One day, one minute before the clock struck, reins and whip 

 in hand, I jumped on to the box and found an old gentleman 

 occupying the box-seat. ' Come,' he said, 'this won't do. I 

 am not going to be experimentalised upon.' ' What do you 

 mean ? ' ' Why, that I am not going to be driven by a young 

 chap like you.' ' Such will be your sad fate,' I replied ; 'the 

 horses are mine, the coach is mine, and I am going to drive. 

 You have only one alternative, and that is to get down and 

 have your money back in the office (White Horse Cellar) ; but 

 sharp's the word, for in ten seconds the clock will strike and 

 the coach start.' He grumbled something, but did not move. 

 When we stopped at the Greyhound, I was getting the waybill 

 from the landlord, with very particular directions about some 

 parcel to be delivered, when a passenger got down from 

 behind, and touching me on the elbow, said, 'Young man, 

 which is the way to the Star and Garter?' 'Turn to left at 

 the end of the street and keep the uphill road.' 'Thank you,' 

 said he, ' here is a shilling for you.' So I touched my hat 

 and thanked him, and put it in my pocket one I kept clear, 

 and the contents of which were handed over to old George 

 Clark. My box passenger had not uttered a word, but as I 

 got on the box and started again he unclosed his lips. ' You 

 have begun well, earned a shilling already,' he said. ' Don't 

 you think I deserved it ? ' said I. ' I will tell you more about 

 it by-and-bye,' said he ; 'and, look here, it will all depend how 

 you drive how much 7 give you when we get to Brighton, if 

 Providence ever permits us to get there.' ' All right,' I said, 

 'and if you are fond of coaching, I bet you sixpence you 



