A Yearns Coaching. 139 



punctual to the moment. Then^ dianging for a more 

 sedate lot of nags, we trot away cheerily through 

 Croydon, stopping at Thornton Heath for the last 

 change of horses. 



This time a remarkably good-looking team, in 

 splendid condition, with coats shining like satin, are 

 put to, and we rattle through Streatham, Clapham 

 Park, and over Vauxhall Bridge, reaching the White 

 Horse Cellar well up to time. This coach (also one of 

 Holland's) is turned out in first-rate style, admirably 

 horsed throughout with handsome young animals 

 imported from Ireland for the purpose. At the close 

 of the season they will, if I mistake not, be found to 

 have grown into money. They are admirably matched, 

 doing credit to Thorogood, who had the putting of 

 them together, I believe. 



The Brighton coach is the joint property of Colonel 

 Clitheroe and Mr. Freeman. One or other of them is 

 usually to be found on the "bench,^^ and their turn- 

 out is quite up to the standard of old times, and not a 

 whit behind the form of Stevenson, Willan, or Sir St. 

 Vincent Cotton. The time occupied on the way is six 

 hours, including stoppages. The country is exceed- 

 ingly pretty throughout the length of the journey; 

 and, as the coach will run for a considerable time, 

 there will be many opportunities of varying the mono- 

 tony of the rail and enjoying a ride " down the road '^ 

 after the fashion of bygone days. 



Encouraged by the success of my two first ventures, 

 and having heard of the fame of the Hirondelle, of 

 which Colonel A. P. Somerset is the proprietor, 

 running three times a week from Enfield, through 

 Hatfield, Welwyn and Hitchin, I journeyed by rail 



