CHAPTER XIX. 



EDINBURGH AND ABERDEEN 'DEFIANCE: 



If fast coaches were put on the roads in England for 

 long distances, so they were in Scotland, for there 

 was one coach in that country that for speed and 

 good management was not exceeded, even if equalled, 

 by the noted Manchester ' Telegraph,' which was the 

 fastest coach in England. 



The coach I allude to was the well-known ' Defi- 

 ance,' originally started by Captain Barclay of Ury, 

 and Mr. Eamsay of Barnton, both independent 

 gentlemen. It was first put on the road in 1829, and 

 no doubt paid well ; it was well patronized, not only 

 for its punctuality, but on account of the great 

 attention paid to the passengers and their general 

 comfort. 



As regards the paying part of the concern, I have 

 heard this story : 



Captain Barclay was driving one day with a friend 

 on the box, and the professional coachman just behind 



