100 RICHARD BAGGE, ESQ. 



proofs of a kind and generous patronage, more than 

 common marks of attention on particular occasions, and, 

 what was more prized than all, a heartfelt sympathy in 

 domestic calamity/ These things are not to be forgotten; 

 neither is the manly bearing and liberal and Christian 

 spirit of one of his companions, who was snatched in the 

 prime of life from a circle of affectionate relatives and 

 admiring friends — a gentleman who never ceased to 

 manifest towards the author the most gratifying marks of 

 his approbation and esteem. 



Among my earliest clients was a gentleman, whom I 

 afterwards found to be a beneficed clergyman, holding a 

 very valuable living in the neighbourhood of Downham, 

 in Norfolk. On my first having the pleasure of his com- 

 pany on the box, which he always, it appeared, took care 

 to secure, and when we were both total strangers to each 

 other, he did not speak or make any observation in passing 

 through the streets till, just at the turn from St. Paul's 

 Churchyard into Cheapside, something occurred in the 

 conflux of vehicles that called up the exercise of all my 

 skill as an artist to avoid an imminent collision. The 

 quickness and precision I displayed elicited his unqualified 

 approbation. 



'' Well done ! " he cried. " You are a perfect master 

 of your art, sir, I can see. Where did you first learn to 

 drive? " 



Having briefly answered him, he forthwith commenced 



a dialogue which continued almost without intermission 



the whole of the journey, in which he developed an 



intimate knowledge of the horse. He described the 



^ Richard Bagge, Esq., of Gaywood Hall. 



