BRIGHTON ROAD 221 



I must claim the reader's indulgence for thus ex- 



« 



patiating upon the change of my circumstances ; but 

 such reflections form the necessary connection between 

 my previous and then present position, and the feelings 

 they gave rise to are brought more forcibly to my mind 

 by the scenes I daily see around me. 



]\Iany were the opinions passed among my own ac- 

 quaintances and friends, as well as the public generally, 

 upon the step I had taken, which was lauded by some, 

 condemned by others, and excused by all, who best knew 

 the real cause of my entering upon so formidable an 

 engagement — formidable in the responsibility of having 

 so many of His Majesty's lieges daily entrusted to my care. 



In my own estimation, I felt that I had lost caste, but 

 for this I hoped the novelty of my new way of life would 

 impart compensation ; and as driving was daily becoming- 

 more fashionable among the higher class, I foolishly 

 thought I was only following in the wake of others far 

 above myself in rank and station, and should, therefore, 

 have them to share my degradation. 



It would not be possible to enumerate all, nor would it 

 be necessary to name any of those men of rank and title 

 who forgot their birth, and what was due to their 

 connections and position in society, to figure in the 

 capacity of dragsmen. The Brighton road was the chief 

 locale for these distinguished ornaments of the profession, 

 and of prmtsellers' shops. They have passed away — 

 their occupation has become void ; and the swift torrent 

 of the rail has swept them from the public view. Some 

 returned to their patrimonial estates, and exercised the 

 office of maojistrates in their own district, after havino; 



