JDAIVN OF THE COACHING AGE ^9 



Southami^ton Coacli, Avliicli comes weekly to the 

 Eose, near Holborn Bridge " — a statement that at 

 least proves the existence of a pul)lic yehicle of 

 sorts. Bnt it is the first and h\st reference to the 

 Sontham^iton Coach that has come down these two 

 hundred and fifty-odd years. If Tayk)r tells us 

 nothing of its history, he at least gives a descrip- 

 tion of the journey that retains something of its 

 original amusing qualities, and, with the lapse of 

 time, becomes something of an historic docu- 

 ment : — 



We took our coach, two coachmen and four horses, 



And uieirily from London made our courses. 



We wheel'd the top of th' heavy hill call'd Holborne 



(Up which hath been full many a sinful soule borne), 



And so along we jolted past St. Gileses, 



Which place from Braiuford six (or neare) seven miles is. 



To Stanes that night at five o'clock ^^e coasted, 



W'here (at the Bush) we had bakVl, boyl'd, and rcasted. 



Bright .Sol's illustrious Rajes the day adorning, 



We past Bagshot and Bawwaw Friday morning. 



That night we lodg'd at the White Hart at Alton, 



And had good meate — a table with a salt on. 



Next morn w'arose with blushing cheek'd Aurora ; 



The wayes were faire, but not so faire as Flora, 



For Flora was a goddesse, and a woman, 



And (like the highwayes) to all men was Common. 



Our Horses, with the Coach, which we went into, 



Did hurry us amaine, through thick and thine too ; 



With fiery speede, the foaming bit they champt on, 



And brought us to the Dolphin at Southampton. 



Southampton, eighty miles from their starting- 

 point, was therefore a three days' journey in the 

 autumn of 164<8. That they were careful not to 



