THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 315 



gentlemen to drive their own carriages, wheresoever and 

 whensoever they like ; but it strikes me that there is too 

 much system in the proceedings of the Four-horse Club. 

 There is, likewise, in the dress of the members, too great 

 a desire to imitate the public coachmen, to the detriment 

 of their own caste, as well as of their personal appearance. 

 I rather give the preference to the Benson Club, inasmuch 

 as the gratification arising from the pursuit is equally 

 enjoyed by the members, but in a quieter way, and 

 stripped of all display." 



"There is some justice in your remarks," observed Sir 

 John Inkleton ; " still, I am disposed to believe that 

 much more of good than of harm has been the result of 

 both of those clubs. That great improvement has taken 

 place in coach travelling during the last few years a 

 point of immense importance to a commercial country, 

 which England is in its various branches and depart- 

 ments, no one will feel disposed to deny ; and coach 

 proprietors are entitled to their meed of praise for their 

 exertions in aiding the good cause. I am, however, bold 

 enough to assert that not the least, if not the principal 

 efficient cause has been, the great interest taken in all that 

 concerns what is called the road, by men of fortune and 

 judgment. Men of mathematical and classical education, 

 indeed, of refined manners, and possessing humane 

 feelings, have made the working of a coach, drawn by 

 four horses, their study, as well as their amusement ; and 

 although grave old codgers have laughed at them, editors 

 of newspapers pitied them, and fine ladies felt shocked at 

 them, the public have reason to thank them, travellers to 

 pray for them, and the noblest of the brute creation, had 

 they the faculty of speech, might pour out their gratitude 

 for the benefits they have received at their hands. In the 

 first place, they pointed out the cruelty of enforcing, in 

 the low-bred horse, the speed and powers peculiar only to 

 those possessing a certain portion of high blood. Secondly, 

 harness, if ill-constructed, independently of being unsafe, 

 is more tormentingly punishing to horses than all the 

 whipping that can be applied to them. The members of 

 these clubs improved this in many particulars, of which, 

 without practical experience of the defects, they never could 

 have been judges, and of which, in too many instances, 

 coach proprietors and their servants were too careless or 

 too ignorant to be informed. In short, to the amateur 



