THE GOLDEN AGE, 1824— 1848 177 



In such a case, to prevent his heing recognised 

 and claimed, the horse woukl he worked on the 

 night mail. 



The coachman's ideal was a team matching 

 in colour, hut fcAV proprietors ever aimed at such 

 perfection. The cost was great, and nothing, save 

 the gratification of the eye, was gained. 



With these husiness details the travelling 

 puhlic had no concern, and it Avas only the hox- 

 seat passengers who learnt the history of some of 

 these cheaj) acquisitions from private stahles. The 

 hox-seat passenger was generally a sporting 

 character, aspiring to that companionship with 

 the coachman from his love of horses and driving, 

 hut it naturally often happened that some stolid 

 person, whose only desire was to he carried safely 

 and who took no interest in driving, found himself 

 jierched on that j^lace of honour. When such an 

 one l)ecame the unwilling confidant of the coach- 

 man he Avas apt to hear some nerve-shaking 

 things. " See that 'ere near Avheeler ? " said one 

 Jehu. " llun avay vith a old gennelman last 

 veek, he did ; hroke his neck ; friends just goin' 

 to shoot 'im ; guv'nor gave coujile o' suvrings 

 for 'im, and 'ere 'e is. 'Ope aa^c shan't he upset ! " 

 The nervous passenger effected an exchange for 

 an inside place AA^tli a sjiorting passenger at the 

 next stage — Avliich Avas precisely the result antici- 

 pated hy the coachman. 



At this time, Avhen the fast day-coaches Avere 

 in every respect as Avell ap^^ointed as a gentle- 

 man's private drag, it Avas the keenest amhition 



Y0I>. II, 12 



