STAGE-COACH GUARDS 273 



their own accord and wrought disaster to coach 

 and passengers. 



In early days, when horses were either not 

 changed at all on a long journey, or went 

 twenty-mile stages, nothing was less likely than 

 that they would ])olt. All they av anted to do 

 was to lie down and die. But in the golden 

 age of coaching, Avhen well-kept teams working 

 sometimes only six- or eight-mile stages were 

 usual, that coach-proprietor who, from motives 

 of economy or for any other reason, omitted 

 to provide a guard, should have been made 

 criminally responsible for any accidents caused 

 by that omission. 



As a rule the guards of mails and stages 

 went from end to end, being responsible for 

 the contents of the way-bill. These spells of 

 from ten to fifteen hours' duty were naturally 

 very tiring, and they generally rested the 

 following day, or, if in London, took the 

 opportunity of executing those varied com- 

 missions — from the filing of a Bill in Chancery 

 to the matching of silks — of Avhich every guard 

 had plenty always in hand. 



An outstanding specimen of a stage-coach 

 guard is the figure of George Young, of the 

 Leeds " Union." An excellent whip, as well 

 as guard, he was a man of a peculiar versatility 

 of genius, and as an entertainer of company on 

 the roof of a coach was probably unequalled in 

 his day. He transacted business commissions 

 for the better class of jewellers and attorneys, 



VOL. I. 18 



