24S STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DA YS OF YORE 



returned a hoio — i.e., if you j^opjiecl a shilling into 

 his hand at the end of a stage, he ducked his head 

 and said, 'Thank you.' The example thus set 

 has been followed l)y the Baronet, who receives 

 a ' hog ' as courteously as his predecessor. When 

 a nohle Marquis, now in the enjoyment of an 

 hereditary dukedom, droAC the ' Criterion,' and 

 afterwards the 'Wonder,' also on the Brighton 

 E,oad, he did not take ' civility money,' we 

 believe, but did the thing for pure love. 



" By different means men strive for fame, 

 And seek to gain a sporting name. 

 Some like to ride a steeple-chase ; 

 Others at Melton go the pace, 

 Where honour chief on him awaits 

 Who best takes brooks, and rails, and gates. 

 Or tops the lofty ' bullfinch ' best. 

 Where man and hors3 may build a nest ; 

 Who crams at everything his steed — 

 And cleai's it too — and keeps the lead. 

 Some on the ' Turf ' their pleasure fake, 

 Where knowing ' Legs ' oft bite ' the Oake ' ; 

 Others the ' Road ' prefer ; and drest 

 Like ' reg'lar ' coachmen in their best. 

 Handle the ribbons and the whip, 

 And answer ' All light ! ' with ' yah hip ! ' 

 At steady pace off go the tits, 

 Elate the Sporting Dragsman sits ; 

 No peer nor plebeian in the land 

 W^ith greater skill drives four-in-hand." 



Cotton, known to the plel)eian professionals of 

 the Brigliton Road as " the Baronet," and to his 

 familiars as " Vinny," Avas so hard liit by his 

 disastrous gambling tliat he owned and drove the 

 Brisfhton " iWe " for a living. Let us do him the 



