COACH LEGISLATION 207 



and ridicule, brought in a Bill to regulate stage- 

 coaches. It is sad to think that even those who 

 travelled largely hy coach, whom Mr. Gamon 

 desired to protect, made fun of his efforts, and, 

 when his Eill at first failed to pass, rejoiced as 

 greatly in the prospect of a continued free trade 

 in broken necks and legs as ever the coacli- 

 proj^rietors themselves could have done. Some of 

 this wit was very cheap stuff indeed. It largely 

 consisted of torturing Mr. Gamon's name into 

 " Gammon," and that done, the rest was easy. 

 A morning newspaper found it possible to write 

 thus : — 



Whene'er a loaded stage drives by 

 With more than it should draw, 



We view the outside groujD, and cry, 

 " That's contrary to law." 



But all the folks who clamour thus 



Aie totally mistaken, 

 For Gammon's Bill did never pass, 



So coachmen saved their bacon. 



Richard Gamon was a member for Winchester 

 in five several Parliaments. He had Ijeen a com- 

 missioner for salt duties, but resigned that office 

 to enter the House. He was created a baronet in 

 July, 1795, and died, aged sixty-nine, April 9th, 

 1818. His Act was not forgotten, for in his 

 obituary notice it is duly stated that "with 

 him originated that useful and humane law for 

 regulating the number of outside passengers on 

 >5tagc- coaches." 



What with public ridicule of his original I3ill 



