STAGE COACHES. , 37 



of a bead-roll of these travelling mishaps, during- the period just mentioned ? They 

 would form a volume of considerable bulk, independently of any commentary ! 



Previously to saying- a few words on the obvious particular defects of our travelling- 

 system, and after having dealt so unreservedly with the coachmen and proprietors, im- 

 partiality demands that we name another party, and that of the highest considera- 

 tion, which must unavoidably come in for a share, if not the greatest share of blame 

 in the premises we mean the PUBLIC. The superiority in the modern form of 

 our public vehicles, and the celerity with which they whirl along the roads, are no 

 doubt highly contributory to general convenience, and to the furtherance of com- 

 mercial views -, but we seem to be all ultras in the affair of travelling, and to set 

 no limits to our desires, as if unconscious that, there must necessarily be a point 

 beyond which we cannot with safety proceed. Do we travel one hundred miles in 



twelve hours ? well but not sufficiently well an opposition coach starts up a 



new candidate in the break-neck line, who offers to run the same distance in ten 

 hours ! All the passengers who can find places, now crowd to the new diligence ; for 

 what's the object of broken bones, or a broken neck, to the pleasure of arriving at one's 

 journey'send,ordinner,afullhour andhalf sooner than usual ? Besides,every English- 

 man is a true Mussulman in this case, and well convinced, before starting, that if 

 it shall have been recorded in the book of fate, that he is to escape all accidents 

 upon the road, the journey must needs be performed in safety ; but, if otherwise, 

 there is no remedy but patiently to await and submit to his fortune, whatever that 

 may be. Sentiments of this kind have actually appeared in print, and much sur- 

 prise has been expressed, that timid and fastidious people should make such fuss on 

 a matter so trivial, and that they should be so irrational as to expect fewer accidents, 

 the immense number of our stage coaches considered. These accidents are made 

 a subject of mirth, even of doubt; and overthrows and breaking of axletrees succeed 

 each other with a rapidity, which quite overpowers the public apprehension of them, 

 as too great a glare of light serves to obscure all distinct vision. 



Various meritorious attempts have been made by the legislature to remedy these 

 defects, with a view to public safety ; but what can be efficiently done for a public 

 absolutely striving to counteract every measure which can possibly be devised in its 

 favour ? No coachman can be more eager than the passengers themselves, to in- 

 crease the number beyond its lawful rate ! The keenest Whip has not more delight 

 in a race along the road, than the major part of those whom he drives ! What jolly and 

 unconcerned parties do we daily behold upon the roads, both within-side and without 

 of a light and tottering vehicle, so heavily and highly laden, and so nicely balanced, 

 that the slightest eminence in the way is sufficient for an upset ! We feel too well 

 aware, in this case, of climbing up labour-in-vain hill, and of the thankless nature 

 of the task we undertake, that of giving gratuitous and unasked advice. Indeed, 

 why should a free-born Englishman be denied the liberty and pleasure, of breaking 

 his own neck, in his own way ? We must nevertheless satisfy our conscience. 



