WHAT BECAME OF THE COACHMEN 319 



On liis prone form the coach then t . . , (? toppled) o'er, 



And he was crushed beneath, to rise no moj-e. 



No more to rise? No, no! Though here his work be ended, 



To Heav'n we hope his spirit hath ascended. 



Although on Earth his final drive be drove, 



lie's entered on a longer Stage above, 



Where, now his mortal days are past and gone — 



He drives with Phccbus' self the chariot of the Sun. 



Then there is the epitaph on the driver of the 

 coach that ran between Ayk\shnry and London, 

 written by the Rev. H. Bnllen, vicar of Dnnton, 

 in whose chnrchyard he is hiid : — 



Parker, farewell ! thy journey now is ended. 



Death has the whip-hand, and with dust thou'rt blended ; 



Thy way-bill is examined, and I trust 



Thy last account may prove exact and just. 



May He who drives the chariot of the day, 



Where life is light, whose Word 's the living way ; 



Where travellers, like yourself, of every age 



And every clime, have taken their last stage — 



The God of mercy and the God of love 



*' Show you the road" to Paradise above. 



The okl whips had a whimsical way with 

 them, and sometimes not a little pathetic as well. 

 The road was not only the profession Avhence they 

 drew their living, bnt it was their passion — their 

 whole life. Thus, when a noted chaise- driver at 

 Lichfield, one Jack Lewton, died in 170G, he was, 

 at his last request, carried from the " Eald Buck " 

 in that city by six chaise-drivers in scarlet jackets 

 and buckskin breeches — the pall supported by six 

 ostlers from the different inns. The funeral took 

 place on August 22nd, in St. Michael's church- 

 yard, as near the turnpike road as possible ; so 



