234 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



indeed, Charles Dickens sat at this tal)le. Perhaps 

 he was contemplating a sequence of stories with 

 some such title as "The Coachmen's Hoom " ; 

 but if so, he never fulfilled the intention. 

 The chairman on this occasion, after sundry 

 flattering remarks, as a tribute to the novelist's 

 power of describing a coach journey, said, " Mr. 

 Dickens, sir, we knows you knows wot's Avot, but 

 can you, sir, 'andle a vip ? " There was no mock 

 modesty about Dickens. He acknowledged that he 

 could describe a journey down the road (doubtless, 

 if we have a correct mental image of the man, he 

 acknowledged that little matter Avith a truculent 

 suggestion in his manner that he would like to see 

 the man who could do it as well), but he regretted 

 that in the management of the " vip " he was not 

 an exjiert. 



Unlike commercial dinners, " shop " was not 

 taboo round this hospitable mahogany, but formed 

 the staple of the conversation. Indeed, these 

 Avorthies could talk little else, and Avitli tlie 

 exception of sometimes shrcAvd and humorous 

 sidelights on the towns and villages they passed 

 on their daily drives, and criticisms of the local 

 magnates whose parks and mansions they pointed 

 out to the passengers on the Avay, Avere silent on 

 all subjects save Avheels, horses, and harness. 



The etiquette of this room Avas strict. The 

 oldest coachman presided — never a guard, for 

 they ahvays ranked as juniors — and at the proper 

 moment gave the loyal toast of the King or Queen. 

 An exception to this rule of seniority Avas Avhen 



