A6o the coaching AGE. 



a main road for some hours for want of a train, or 

 any means of conveyance being procurable whereby I 

 could leave it. I strolled, about the village, making 

 inquiry for that noted individual ' the oldest in- 

 habitant,' in expectation of finding some one ac- 

 quainted with the, place in its more lively and 

 prosperous days, and eventually was directed to the 

 little house of a tailor whose daughter, I was told, 

 was living with him, and was the widow of a man 

 who had been a horsekeeper for some of the coaches. 



As I opened the door, the customary intimation of 

 the entry of some one was given by the ringing of a 

 bell, and I found myself close to the ninth part of a 

 man, who was sitting in the orthodox fashion of 

 members of his craft, cross-legged on a table, and 

 shoeless, stitching away at some garment. 



Putting on my blandest manner, I proceeded to 

 lay before him the object of my visit, stating generally 

 that I took an interest in anything connected with 

 coaching in past days, and that having been told that 

 he was an old inhabitant of the place, and his 

 daughter also, as I have mentioned, I had taken the 

 liberty of calling on him to have a chat, and help pass 

 away the long time I had to spend in the village. 



He seemed somewhat incredulous, not to say sus- 

 picious, and in answer to any inquiry I made of him, 

 generally replied by a question to myself. 



