246 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



the " gemman " ; and even the neighbouring 

 waterman was seduced from his hackney-coaches 

 to try the persuasive poAvers of his eloquence. 

 Pour shillings and sixpence this " real gentle- 

 man " distril)uted at Hatchett's door, and left 

 the capital with the best wishes of the donees 

 for his safe return. His generosity was not 

 allowed a long respite, for at " that vile hole 

 13rentford," a slowly manoeuvring Avaggoner 

 blocked the way ; and finding that he could by 

 no other means be induced to alloAv the mail to 

 2)ass, our amateur descended from the box, and, 

 slyly placing a shilling in the waggoner's hands, 

 said in a loud voice, " I don't stand any nonsense, 

 you know, so now take your Avaggou out of the 

 way. This forcible and intelligible appeal, so 

 2:)roperly accomj^anied, AAas perfectly irresistible : 

 the Avaggon Avas draAvn to the roadside, and the 

 mail proceeded. 



Very fcAv of these amateurs have been con- 

 sidered Avorthy of biographical treatment, but 

 among them Sir St. Vincent Cotton is one. Let 

 us just see Avhat the outline of his life AA^as : — 

 " Cotton, Sir St. Vincent, Gtli Baronet, son of 

 Admiral Sir Charles Cotton. Born at Madingley 

 Hall, Cambs., October Gtli, 1801; succeeded, 

 February 24th, 1812 ; educated at Westminster 

 and Christ Church, Oxford. Cornet lOtli Light 

 Dragoons, May 13th, 1827 ; Lieutenant, December 

 13th, 1827, to November 19th, 1830, Avhen placed 

 on half -pay. Distinguished himself in the hunting, 

 skating, racing, and pugilistic Avorld. Played in 



