THE GALLOPING GROUND 17 



we cliangecl tliem while you were putting 011 your 

 spectacles and looking at your w^atcli. Only one 

 minute allowed for it at Hounslow, and it is often 

 done in fifty seconds by those nimble-fingered horse- 

 keepers.' 



Then the coach goes fast and faster on the way to 

 Staines. ' We always spring 'em over these six 

 miles,' says the proprietor, in reply to the old gentle- 

 man's remark that he really does not like to go so 

 fast. ' Not a pebble as big as a nutmeg on the road, 

 and so even that the equilibrium of a spirit-level 

 could not be disturbed.' 



' Bless me ! ' exclaims the old man, ' what improve- 

 ments ; and the roads I! ! ' 



' They are at perfection, sir,' says the proprietor. 

 ' No horse walks a yard in this coach between London 

 and Exeter — all trotting-ground now.' 



' A little galloping ground, I fear,' whispers the 

 senior to himself ' But who has effected all this 

 improvement in your paving ? ' 



' An American of the name of M'Adam,' is the 

 reply ; ' but coachmen call him the Colossus of Eoads.' 



' And pray, my good sir, what sort of horses may 

 you have over the next stage ? ' 



' Oh, sir, no more bo -kickers. It is hilly and 

 severe ground and requires cattle strong and staid. 

 You'll see four as fine horses put to the coach at 

 Staines as ever you saw in a nobleman's carriage in 

 your life.' 



' Then we shall have no more galloping — no more 

 springing them as you term it ? ' 



' Not quite so fast over the next stage,' replies the 







