,illu/ration3 ,photograph$ f ,life by   
,maull  ,co4 ,london4                   
,,h9ts ,,on ,,driv+4                    
,,by                 ,c4 ,s4 ,,w>d1     
,,! ,,well-,,kn[n ,,:ip ,,( ,,! ,,we/1  
,,paxton ,,/ables1 ,,opposite           
,,tatt]sall',s4                         
,,london3          ,,publi%$ ,,by ,,!   
,,au?or1    #gd1 ,,little ,,cadogan     
,,place1 ,,belgravia4                   
#ahgj4     ,,h9ts ,,on ,,driv+4  ,,by   
,c4 ,s4 ,,w>d1  ,,! ,,well-,,kn[n ,,:ip 
,,( ,,! ,,we/1  ,paxton ,/ables         
7opposite ,tatt]sall's74   ,x has be5   
said1 & n1 p]haps1 )\t reason1 t a man  
:o is consci\s t he possesses "s        
practical k ( a sci5ce1 & yet refra9s f 
giv+ ! public ! b5efit ( 8 in=mation1 is
 op5 to ! imputation ( selfi%ness4 ,to  
avoid t *>ge1 z f> z lies 9 my p[]1 ,i  
purpose1 9 ! c\rse ( ! foll[+ pages1 to 
give my read]s ! b5efit ( my tol]ably   
long exp]i5ce 9 ! art ( driv+ f\r       
horses--an art :i* ,i acquir$ "u !      
foll[+ circum/ances4--  ,my fa!r 0 a    

coa* proprietor z well z a coa*man1 &1  
,i am pr\d to say1 "o ( ! be/ :ips ( 8  
day4 ,he gave me _m opportunities (     
driv+ a team4 ,i w n1 h[ev]1 ent] into  
all ! details ( my y\?ful c>e]1 b proce$
 to /ate1 t at ! e>ly age ( sev5te5 ,i 0
 s5t nightly ) ! ,norwi* & ,ipswi* ,mail
 z f> z ,col*e/]1 a di/ance ( fifty-two 
miles4 ,nev] hav+ previ\sly travell$    
beyond ,:ite*apel ,*ur*1 on t l9e (     
road1 ! *ange 0 r try+ = a beg9n]4 ,b   
,=tune fav\r$ me2 & ,i drove ,8         
,maje/y's ,mail = ne>ly five ye>s )\t an
 accid5t4 ,i 0 !n promot$ to !          
,quicksilv]1 ,devonport ,mail1 ! fa/e/  
at t "t out ( ,london4 ,x mu/ be admitt$
 t ,i und]took ?is task "u difficult    
circum/ances--involv+ z x did1 sixty    
miles a night--s9ce _m _h tri$ x        
ineffectually1 or at all ev5ts 7 unable 
to accompli% ! duty satisfactorily4 ,x  
is gratify+ to me to reflect1 t ,i drove
 ?is coa* m ?an sev5 ye>s )\t a s+le    
mi%ap4  ,gett+ at l5g? r tir$ ( su*     
incessant & monoton\s nightly "w1 ,i    

appli$ = a *ange to my employ]1 !       
well-kn[n & mu*-respect$ ,mr4 ,*apl91 :o
 at t "t _h sev5te5 hundr$ horses       
employ$ 9 coa*+4 ,8 reply 0 *>act]i/ic4 
,i _c f9d y all day coa*es1 said he2    
besides1 :o am ,i to get to drive y\r   
,mail8 ,i mu/ say1 ,i ?\ght ?is r sev]e 
at ! "t1 b1 good & k9d-he>t$ man z he 01
 he did n =get me4  ,n long aft] ?is    
int]view1 ! ,brighton ,day ,mail be+    
ab\t to />t1 he made me ! (f]1 to drive 
! :ole di/ance & horse ! coa* a /age1 ) 
! option ( driv+ x )\t hors+4 ,l mo/ "y 
m5 ,i 0 r ambiti\s1 & clos$ ) ! =m]     
conditions4 ,! speculation1 h[ev]1 did n
 turn out a v pr(itable "o1 &1 ! railway
 mak+ great progress1 ,i sold my horses 
to ,mr4 ,ri*>d ,coop]1 :o 0 to succe$ me
 on ! box4 ,i 0 !n (f]$ ! f>-fam$ ,exet]
 ,telegraph1 "o ( ! fa/e/ & be/-appo9t$ 
coa*es 9 ,engl&4 ,my fondness = coa*+   
/ill cont9u+1 & n feel+ dispos$ to      
settle to any bus9ess1 ,i drove ?is coa*
 f ,exet] to ,ilm9/] & back1 a di/ance (
 sixty-six miles1 e>ly 9 ! morn+ & late 

at night4 ,aft] driv+ x ?ree ye>s1 !    
railway op5$ to ,bridgewat]2 ?is clos$ !
 c>e] ( ! once-celebrat$ ,telegraph4 ,b 
^? :o _h s long %>$ its success1 7 n    
incl9$ to knock "u4 ,my bro!r coa*man & 
myself1 toge!r ) ! two gu>ds1 accord+ly 
/>t$ a ,telegraph f ,devonport to       
,london1 a di/ance ( n9ety-five miles by
 road1 jo9+ ! rail at ,bridgewat]1 ?us  
mak+ ! :ole j\rney two hundr$ & fifty   
miles 9 "o day4 ,at t "t !re 0 a coa*   
call$ ! ,nonp>eil1 runn+ f ,devonport to
 ,bri/ol4  ,! proprietors ( ?is vehicle1
 ?9k+ t our's w\ld take (f "s ( _!      
trade1 made _!'s a ,london coa* also1 & 
/>t$ at ! same "t z we did4 ,we !n      
comm5c$ a /rong opposition4 ,i _h a v   
good man to cont5d aga9/--,william      
,h>bridge1 a fir/-class coa*man4 ,we _h 
sev]al ye>s ( /rong opposition1 ! rail  
decreas+ ! di/ance e ye>1 till x op5$ to
 ,exet]4 ,! ,nonp>eil 0 !n tak5 (f1 & !y
 />t$ a coa* call$ ! ,tally ,ho6 aga9/ !
 poor old ,telegraph4 ,bo? coa*es left  
,exet] at ! same "t1 & ?is caus$ great  

excitem5t4 ,_m bets1 ( bottles ( w9e1   
d9n]s = a doz51 & five-p\nd notes1 7    
laid1 z to :i* coa* w\ld arrive fir/ at 
,plym\?4 ,i _h my old fri5d ,h>bridge   
aga91 z my competitor4 ,! hotel t ,i    
/>t$ f1 0 a little f>!r d[n ! /reet ?an 
! "o :5ce ! ,tally ,ho6 appe>$1 s t z   
soon z ,i saw my fri5d ,h>bridge m\nt+ !
 box1 ,i did ! same1 & made ! runn+4 ,we
 _h all our horses ord]$ long be=e !    
usual "t4 ,h>bridge came sail+ away aft]
 me2 ! fa/] he approa*$1 ! m ,i put on !
 /eam4 ,he nev] caught me1 &1 hav+ "s   
trifl+ accid5t ) "o ( 8 horses ov] ! la/
 /age1 he enabl$ me to rea* ,plym\?     
?irty-five m9utes be=e he came 94 ,my   
gu>d1 :o resid$ 9 ,/4 ,albans-/reet1    
,devonport1 hurri$ home1 & z ! o!r coa* 
pass$1 he call$ out & ask$ !m to /op & h
 "s supp]2 !y also pass$ my h\se1 :i* 0 
a little f>!r on1 9 ,=e-/reet4 ,i 0     
sitt+ at ! w9d[1 smok+1 & (f]$ !m a cig>
 z !y pass$--a joke !y did n1 ( c\rse1  
mu* reli%4 ,! next night !y decl>$ !y   
w\ld be 9 fir/2 b x 0 ( no use1 ! old   

,telegraph 0 n to be beat54 ,?us x w5t  
on = sev]al weeks2 someh[ !y 7 nev] able
 to get 9 fir/4 ,we did ! fifty miles   
sev]al times 9 ?ree h\rs & tw5ty-eight  
m9utes 7t is1 at ! av]age rate ( a mile 
9 f\r m9utes & n9e seconds1 includ+     
/oppages71 & = mon?s toge!r1 we nev]    
exce$$ f\r h\rs4  ,/ill1 9 e conte/1 "o 
p>ty mu/ ultimately give 92 t "o1 h[ev]1
 0 n ! ,telegraph4 ,we settl$ our       
diff]5ces1 & w5t on quietly = ! rema9d] 
( ! "t1 occasionally hav+ a little      
flutt]1 z we us$ to call x 9 ^? days1 b 
we 7 always good fri5ds4 ,%\ld ?is      
n>rative *ance to meet ! eye ( "s ( ^?  
:o us$ to travel ) u 9 bygone times1 !y 
w d\btless well rememb] ! pace we us$ to
 g4  ,aft] a few ye>s1 ! railway op5$ to
 ,plym\?1 & _m g5tlem5 ask$ me to />t a 
fa/ coa* into ,cornwall1 promis+ to give
 x _! patronage2 ,i accord+ly />t$ !    
,tally ,ho6 mak+ x a day coa* f ,truro  
to ,london1 jo9+ ! rail at ,plym\?2 ?is 
0 a v difficult road = a fa/ coa*1 b we 
ran x1 till ,gov]nm5t (f]$ ! contract = 

a ,mail2 we !n conv]t$ ! ,tally ,ho6    
into a ,mail1 & ran x till ! rail op5$  
to ,truro4 ,x w h be5 se5 t ,i kept to  
coa*+ ne>ly z long z !re 7 any coa*es   
left to drive4  ,i _h = "s ye>s giv5 up 
driv+ regul>ly1 hav+ tak5 ! ,horse      
,baza> at ,plym\?1 :]e ,i us$ to supply 
(fic]s ( ! g>rison ) teams1 & give !m   
in/ructions 9 driv+2 ?is ,i /ill cont9ue
 to d1 & 9 e v>iety ( driv+4 ,x gives   
me1 inde$1 mu* pleasure to see _m ( my  
pupils daily h&l+ _! teams skilfully2 n 
a few ( !m giv+ me good reason to be    
really pr\d ( !m1 z ,i "k !y d me cr$it4
 ,9 my description ( my driv+ c>e]1 ,i  
/at$ t ,i _h nev] _h an accid5t2 ,i     
ought to h said1 no s]i\s casualty1 nev]
 hav+ upset or injur$ any "o2 b ,i h _h 
_m trifl+ mi%aps1 su* z runn+ f\l ( a   
waggon 9 a fog1 hav+ my :ole team d[n 9 
slipp]y wea!r2 on _m occasions ,i h _h a
 :eel come (f1 b /ill no?+ t c\ld fairly
 be t]m$ a bad accid5t4  ,dur+ ! la/    
tw5ty-five ye>s ,i h be5 engag$ keep+   
liv]y /ables & break+ horses to h>ness1 

& 9 t p]iod ,i h _h "s v n>r[ escapes4  
,9 "o in/ance1 ! box ( a new d\ble break
 came (f & pit*$ me a/ride across ! pole
 betwe5 two "y horses2 ,i once _h ! top 
( ! pole come (f :5 driv+ two           
high-c\rag$ horses2 a horse set to      
kick+1 & ran away ) me 9 s+le h>ness4 ,z
 ,i 0 ( c\rse pull+ at him v h>d1 my    
feet w5t ?r\gh ! bottom ( ! dog-c>t1 he 
kick+ furi\sly all ! "t4 ,=tunately ,i  
escap$ ) only a few bruises4 ,on ano!r  
occasion1 9 s+le h>ness1 a m>e began    
kick+1 &1 be=e ,i c\ld get h] head up1  
%e ran aga9/ ! area rail+s ( a h\se 9   
,pr9cess ,squ>e1 ,plym\?1 broke bo?     
%afts1 & split ! break into mat*es2     
myself & man ne>ly w5t ?r\gh ! kit*5    
w9d[1 into ! arms ( ! cook2 %e did n1   
h[ev]1 ask u to /op & d9e4  ,i c\ld     
m5tion _m little ev5ts ( a simil> k9d1 &
 consid] myself v =tunate 9 hav+ nev] _h
 any?+ m s]i\s ?an a spra9$ ankle or    
wri/ dur+ my tol]ably long c>e]4 ,i w n[
 comm5ce my in/ructions4   ,,rule ,i4   
,,selection ,,( ,,! ,,team4  ,! fir/ ?+ 

! pupil %\ld d1 is to select f\r horses 
z ne>ly z possible ( ! same temp]4 ,nev]
 keep a pull]1 = x takes y\r att5tion f 
?+s t require all y\r c>e1 makes y\r arm
 a*e1 9 fact1 does away ) all pleasure4 
,i %\ld recomm5d hir+ or pur*as+ f\r    
horses t w give y no tr\ble1 & :5 y c   
pull !m ab\t1 & d ne>ly z y please ) !m1
 y c !n get y\r p]man5t team1 :i* w     
require a v judici\s selection1         
p>ticul>ly if y int5d to pride y\rself  
^u col\r z well z action4 ,i 0 told by a
 g5tleman1 t he 0 t5 ye>s1 gett+ a      
p]fect team ( black br[ns2 he did n     
conf9e himself to price1 & he c]ta9ly n[
 has a v nice team--& !y ought inde$ to 
be p]fect1 aft] all ! "t1 lab\r & exp5se
 t h be5 be/[$ ^u !m4   ,,rule ,,ii4    
,,m\nt+ ,,! ,,box4  ,put ! =ef+] ( y\r  
"r h& ?r\gh ! lead+ re9s1 & ! ?ird f+]  
betwe5 ! :eel re9s1 feel y\r :eel       
horses' m\?s lightly1 take y\r ne> side 
re9s a little %ort] ?an y\r (f1 s t 9   
case y\r horses attempt to />t be=e y   
are prop]ly seat$1 y h ! re9s all ( !   

same l5g?1 &1 be+ prop]ly sep>at$1 y c  
put !m into y\r left h& z quickly z     
possible1 & at once h y\r horses "u     
control2 ?is w1 if att5d$ to1 always    
prev5t accid5ts4 ,"s g5tlem5 get on !   
box & h ! re9s h&$ to !m by a groom1 :o 
does n "k h[ to sep>ate !m2 ?is is n    
only an unbus9ess-l1 b a dang]\s        
practice4   ,,rule ,,iii4  ,,! ,,seat4  
,place y\rself well on ! box1 sit       
upright1 b easily1 ) y\r knees a little 
b5t4 ,"s g5tlem5 almo/ /&1 ) a ?ick     
cu%ion rea*+ above ! rail ( ! box1 & _! 
toes sev]al in*es ov] ! foot-bo>d4 ,?is 
is n only unsightly1 b att5d$ ) risk1 = 
if y came 9 contact ) ! curb/one1 or any
 trifl+ ob/ruction1 y might v readily1 &
 mo/ likely w\ld1 be ?r[n f y\r seat4 ,!
 rail ( ! box1 ought always to be a few 
in*es above ! cu%ion4   ,,rule ,,iv4    
,,turn+4  ,9 go+ r\nd a corn]1 po9t y\r 
lead]--t is1 take hold ( y\r lead+ re91 
& get y\r lead]s well r\nd2 !n take hold
 ( y\r :eel re9 z well1 all f\r horses w
 come r\nd z ev5ly z ?\gh !y 7 on a     

/raight road4 ,mo/ p]sons are c>eless   
ab\t ! mode ( go+ r\nd a corn]2 z long z
 !y get r\nd safely1 !y ?9k x q         
suffici5t2 !y take hold ( bo? re9s &    
haul away2 ! consequ5ce is1 !y get ! =e 
"p ( ! c>riage & ! :eel horses r\nd be=e
 ! lead]s are squ>e4 ,?is1 ,i ?9k1 looks
 v bad1 = x is a really pretty sight1 to
 see f\r horses com+ r\nd /raight1 & ?us
 %[+ t !y are "u p]fect control4 ,always
 /eady y\r c>riage be=e attempt+ to     
turn1 9 case y %\ld *ance to meet any?+ 
com+ 9 ! opposite direction4 ,besides1  
!re is no object 9 go+ fa/ r\nd a corn]4
 ,ev5 if press$ = "t1 always use        
precaution1 = 9 driv+1 z 9 o!r phases ( 
life1 y w f9d x mu* easi] to keep out1  
?an to get out1 ( grief6   ,,rule ,v4   
,,desc5d+ ,a ,,hill4  ,9 go+ d[n a hill1
 /eady & feel ! weight ( ! c>riage y h  
beh9d y2 g (f ! top z quietly z y c1 = y
 w discov] be=e y get half way d[n1 if x
 is at all a /eep hill1 ! impetus w be s
 mu* increas$1 t y w h q en\gh to d1 to 
keep y\r coa* /eady & y\r horses "u     

control4 ,! pat5t drag is a great boon1 
:i* we _h n 9 ! old coa*+ days4 ,i h _m 
times gone (f ! top ( a hill1 &1 be=e ,i
 got half way d[n1 wi%$ t ,i _h put on !
 %oe2 b ano!r coa* com+ beh9d1 ) p]haps 
a light] load ?an ,i _h1 !y w\ld h pass$
 me :ile ,i 0 putt+ on ! drag2 ?is 0 !  
reason we sometimes neglect$ x1 b y c   
always g fa/] d[n hill1 ) ! drag1 ?an   
)\t x4   ,,rule ,,vi4  ,,position ,,(   
,,! ,,h&s4  ,keep y\r left h& up1 )9    
ab\t t5 or twelve in*es ( y\r *e/1 ) y\r
 arm & wri/ a little b5t2 y w !n h y\r  
re9s 9 su* a position1 t y\r "r h& w be 
able to assi/ ! o!r1 )\t ?r[+ y\r body  
=w>d to rea* !m4 ,_m1 in/ead ( putt+ _! 
"r h& j 9 front ( ! left1 & draw+ ! re9s
 back t[>ds !m1 put ! "r h& at lea/ a   
foot be=e ! o!r1 & pu% ! re9s1          
consequ5tly !y lose ne>ly all p[] ov] ! 
horses1 & draw ! re9s away f ! left h&4 
,besides be+ unskilful1 ?is has a v ugly
 appe>ance4   ,,rule ,,vii4  ,,uni=mity 
,,( ,,draught4  ,to drive sl[ly1 is mu* 
m g5tlemanlike1 &1 at ! same "t1 m      

difficult ?an go+ fa/4 ,keep y\r horses 
well toge!r2 to d ?is prop]ly1 y mu/ "k 
h[ to arrange _! c\pl+s4 ,i ?9k ,i _c   
bett] expla9 ?is1 ?an to ask my read]s  
to notice ! work+ ( ! horses4 ,if y see 
"o a little 9 front ( ! o!r1 y may judge
 t he is ei!r /rong] or m free1         
consequ5tly 8 c\pl+ requires %ort5+1 or 
t ( ! o!r horse l5g!n+4 ,to %ort5 x1 y  
mu/ br+ ! buckle t[>ds y2 & to let x    
out1 put ! buckle t[>ds ! horse's head4 
,mo/ inexp]i5c$ p]sons resort to ! :ip1 
n kn[+ :at is ! cause ( ! fault !y wi%  
to rem$y2 ?is w make ! /rong or free    
horse1 ?r[ himself m into 8 coll>2 !    
o!r1 mean:ile1 _c get up to him1 h[ev]  
mu* he may try2 ! result is1 he becomes 
m & m di%e>t5$4 ,if y use ! :ip at all1 
x mu/ be v lightly & quietly1 s t ! fre]
 or /rong] horse may n he> x4 ,at ! same
 "t1 hold !m bo? well toge!r2 if he is n
 a slugg>d1 he w gradually "w up to !   
o!r4 ,aga91 if y notice "o horse c>ry+ 8
 head unpleasantly1 y may judge !re is  
"s cause = x2 p]haps he is curb$ too    

tightly1 or 8 c\pl+ is too %ort1 or 8   
re9 ought to be ov] t ( ! o!r horse     
in/ead ( "u x1 =1 z may be suppos$1 all 
horses d n c>ry _! heads alike2 b all ^!
 little matt]s require wat*+ & /udy+1 &1
 ) practice1 !y w all become famili>    
en\gh2 & y w notice :e!r or n1 all y\r  
horses g pleasantly toge!r1 =1 dep5d on 
x1 ! m pleasantly !y g1 ! m pleasure &  
com=t y w exp]i5ce 9 driv+ !m2 &1 z !   
old coa*+ t]m express$ x1 :5 y c cov] !m
 ov] ) a %eet1 y may conclude !y are go+
 ab\t "r4   ,,rule ,,viii4  ,,! ,,use   
,,( ,,! ,,:ip4  ,i w n[ come to ! :ip1 !
 use ( :i*1 mo/ "y beg9n]s want to      
acquire 9 ! fir/ in/ance4 ,let me advise
 !m to practice ! art ( cat*+ x 9 _!    
sitt+ or b$-room1 = if !y try to le>n x 
:5 !y are driv+1 !y annoy _! horses4 ,a 
g5tleman1 :om ,i 0 tea*+1 said x 0 s    
simple1 he w\ld n g to b$ till he c\ld  
cat* x prop]ly4 ,i saw him a =tnight    
aft]w>ds1 b he _h n ev5 !n succe$$2 he  
told me he _h n be5 to b$2 b ,i w n v\* 
= ! accuracy ( ?is "p ( ! anecdote4 ,!  

art1 l _m o!rs1 is v easy :5 y "k h[ to 
d x4 ,! turn ( ! wri/1 ) a slight j]k ( 
! elb[1 is ! prop] way to accompli% x4  
,! less ! :ip is us$ :ile driv+1 !      
bett]1 = x w only get y into tr\ble if  
us$ improp]ly4 ,if a horse %ies1 nev]   
flog him = x2 timidity is g5]ally !     
cause ( %y+1 unless 8 eyes are          
defective4 ,( c\rse :ipp+ c d no good 9 
t case2 speak k9dly to him1 t is ! be/  
way1 if he be "y2 z he becomes bett]    
acqua9t$ ) objects & ga9s confid5ce1 he 
w mo/ likely give up ! trick4 ,i w make 
a few m obs]vations on ! :ip4 ,if y c   
use x well1 use x seldom1 & be=e y /rike
 a horse1 always take hold ( 8 head2 if 
y d ?is1 y w f9d ! slighte/ t\* w h !   
desir$ effect4 ,x is a pretty art1 to be
 able ) c]ta9ty1 to t\* a lead] "u ! b>1
 )\t mak+ a noise ) ! la% or lett+ any (
 ! o!r horses "k any?+ ab\t x4 ,! ne>   
lead] is ! mo/ difficult "o to rea*1 z y
 mu/ completely turn y\r wri/ ov]4 ,v   
few c d x well2 9 fact1 _m ( ! old      
pr(essionals c\ld nev] d x neatly4  ,i  

tru/ t "s w b5efit f ^! in/ructions1 =  
!re are really few m agreeable sights   
?an t ( a good-look+ team h&l$ neatly by
 a g5tleman1 :o sits well1 )1 p]haps a  
lady beside him on ! box4 ,i am mu*     
pleas$ to f9d t ! ta/e = f\r-9-h& driv+ 
is increas+ ( late1 & am glad to say1 "s
 g5tlem5 drive v well4 ,x is easy en\gh1
 to detect ^? :o are self-taught f ^? :o
 h receiv$ in/ruction f a pr(essional   
man4 ,_m ?9k t driv+ c be acquir$ )\t   
tea*+4 ,i wond] if any g5tleman w\ld l  
to dance 9 a ball-room )\t fir/ tak+    
lessons2 & yet "s1 d n hesitate to drive
 f\r horses--a feat att5d$ ) mu* dang]1 
n only to ! public g5]ally1 b to        
!mselves & ^? :o accompany !m1 if       
und]tak5 )\t due k4  ,be=e conclud+1 ,i 
w relate "s ( ! difficulties we _h to   
enc\nt] 9 foggy wea!r4 ,we 7 oblig$ to  
be guid$ out ( ,london ) tor*es1 sev5 or
 eight ,mails foll[+ "o aft] ! o!r1 !   
gu>d ( ! =emo/ ,mail light+ ! "o foll[+1
 & s on till ! la/4 ,we travell$ at a   
sl[ pace1 l a fun]al procession4 ,_m    

times ,i h be5 ?ree h\rs go+ f ,london  
to ,h\nsl[4 ,i rememb] "o v foggy night1
 in/ead ( my arriv+ at ,bag%ot 7a       
di/ance ( ?irty miles f ,london1 & my   
de/9ation7 at elev5 o'clock1 ,i did n   
get !re till "o 9 ! morn+4 ,i _h to     
leave aga9 at f\r ! same morn+4 ,on my  
way back to t[n1 :5 ! fog 0 v bad1 ,i 0 
com+ ov] ,h\nsl[ ,hea? :5 ,i rea*$ !    
spot :]e ! old p[d]-mills us$ to /&4 ,i 
saw sev]al lights 9 ! road1 & he>d      
voices1 :i* induc$ me to /op4 ,! old    
,exet] ,mail1 :i* left ,bag%ot ?irty    
m9utes be=e ,i did1 _h met ) a s+ul>    
accid5t2 x 0 driv5 by a man nam$        
,gambi]2 8 lead]s _h come 9 contact ) a 
hay-c>t on its way to ,london1 :i* caus$
 !m to turn sudd5ly r\nd1 break ! pole1 
& blund] d[n a /eep embankm5t1 at !     
bottom ( :i* 0 a n>r[ deep dit* fill$ ) 
wat] & mud4 ,! ,mail ,coa* pit*$ on to !
 /ump ( a will[ tree t ov]-hung ! dit*2 
! coa*man & outside pass5g]s 7 ?r[n ov] 
into ! mead[ beyond1 & ! horses w5t into
 ! dit*2 ! un=tunate :eel]s 7 dr[n$ or  

smo!r$ 9 ! mud4 ,!re 7 two inside       
pass5g]s1 :o 7 extricat$ ) "s           
difficulty2 b =tunately no "o 0 injur$4 
,i manag$ to take ! pass5g]s1 ) ! gu>d &
 mail-bags1 on to ,london1 leav+ !      
coa*man to wait = daylight be=e he c\ld 
make an attempt to get ! ,mail up !     
embankm5t4 ,!y endeav\r$ to accompli%   
?is1 ) c>t-horses & *a9s4 ,!y _h ne>ly  
rea*$ ! top ( ! bank :5 some?+ gave way1
 & ! poor old ,mail w5t back into ! dit*
 aga94 ,i %all nev] =get ! sc5e2 !re 7  
ab\t a doz5 m5 f ! p[d]-mills try+ to   
r5d] assi/ance1 &1 ) _! black faces1 ea*
 be>+ a tor* 9 8 h&1 !y pres5t$ a curi\s
 spectacle4 ,?is happ5$ ab\t ?irty ye>s 
ago4 ,po/s & rails 7 erect$ at ! spot   
aft] ! accid5t4 ,i pass$ ! place la/    
summ]2 !y are /ill !re1 z well z ! old  
poll>d will[ /ump4  ,i recollect ano!r  
s+ul> circum/ance occasion$ by a fog4   
,!re 7 eight ,mails t pass$ ?r\gh       
,h\nsl[4 ,! ,bri/ol1 ,ba?1 ,gl\ce/] &   
,/r\d1 took ! "r-h& road f ,h\nsl[2 !   
,exet]1 ,yeovil1 ,poole1 & ,quicksilv]1 

,devonport 7:i* 0 ! "o ,i 0 driv+71 w5t 
! /raight road t[>ds ,/a9es4 ,we always 
salut$ ea* o!r :5 pass+1 ) ,good night1 
,bill1 ,dick1 or ,h>ry1 z ! case might  
be4 ,i 0 once pass+ a ,mail1 m9e be+ !  
fa/]1 & gave my wont$ salute4 ,a coa*man
 nam$ ,d[ns 0 driv+ ! ,/r\d ,mail2 he   
in/antly recognis$ my voice1 & said1    
,*>lie1 :at are y do+ on my road8 ,x 0  
he1 h[ev]1 :o _h made ! mi/ake2 he _h   
tak5 ! ,/a9es1 in/ead ( ! ,sl\gh1 road  
out ( ,h\nsl[4 ,we bo? pull$ up         
imm$iately2 he _h to turn r\nd & g back1
 :i* 0 a feat att5d$ ) mu* difficulty 9 
su* a fog4 ,_h x n be5 = our usual      
salute1 he w\ld n h discov]$ 8 mi/ake   
be=e arriv+ at ,/a9es4 ,?is mi%ap 0 ab\t
 z bad z gett+ into a wrong tra94 ,i    
m]ely m5tion ! circum/ance to %[ t x 0  
no joke driv+ a night ,mail 9 ^? days4  
,novemb] 0 ! mon? we dread$ mo/1 ! fogs 
7 g5]ally s bad4 ,a s+ul> ev5t happ5$ ) 
! ,ba? ,mail t ran betwe5 ,ba? &        
,devonport4 ,its "t = arriv+ at         
,devonport 0 elev5 o'clock at night4 ,"o

 ev5tful ev5+1 !y _h set d[n all _!     
outside pass5g]s except a ,mrs4 ,cox1 :o
 kept a fi%-/all 9 ,devonport ,m>ket4   
,%e 0 an imm5se woman1 weigh+ ab\t tw5ty
 /one4 ,at ,yealmpton1 :]e ! coa*man &  
gu>d usually _h _! la/ dra9 be=e arriv+ 
at _! de/9ation1 be+ a cold night1 !y   
k9dly s5t ,mrs4 ,cox a drop ( some?+    
w>m4 ,! s]vant-girl :o br\ght out !     
glass1 n be+ able to rea* ! lady1 ! o/l]
 v imprud5tly left ! horses' heads to d 
! polite4 ,! animals he>+ "s "o gett+ on
 ! coa*1 d\btless conclud$ t x 0 !      
coa*man2 at ! same "t f9d+ !mselves     
free1 & be+1 probably1 anxi\s to get    
home1 />t$ (f at _! usual pace1 & p]=m$ 
! sev5 miles 9 safety1 pass+ ov] !      
,laira ,bridge & ?r\gh ! toll-b>1 keep+ 
cle> ( ev]y?+ on ! road4 ,mrs4 ,cox     
mean:ile sat on ! coa*1 ) h] arms ext5d$
 9 ! attitude ( a spread-eagle1 & va9ly 
try+ to attract ! att5tion ( ^? %e met  
or pass$ on ! road4 ,%e v prud5tly1     
h[ev]1 ab/a9$ f scream+1 z %e ?\ght %e  
might o!rwise h al>m$ ! horses4 ,!y1    

inde$1 only trott$ at _! ord9>y spe$1 & 
came to a halt ( _! own accord at ! door
 ( ! ,k+'s ,arms ,hotel1 ,plym\?1 :]e !y
 7 9 ! habit ( /opp+ to dis*>ge "s ( !  
freight ( ! coa*4 ,! boots & o/l] came  
runn+ out to att5d to _! accu/om$       
duties1 b1 to _! a/oni%m5t1 beheld no "o
 b ! affright$ ,mrs4 ,cox on ! coa* &   
two pass5g]s inside1 :o 7 happily1 :olly
 unconsci\s ( ! dang] to :i* !y _h be5  
expos$6 ,! coa*man & gu>d soon arriv$ 9 
a po/-*aise4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,cox drank _m  
qu>t]ns ( g9 to /eady h] n]ves be=e %e  
felt able to cont9ue h] j\rney to       
,devonport1 :]e %e c>ri$ on a prosp]\s  
trade = _m ye>s4 ,_m p patronis$ h]1 on 
purpose to he> h] n>rate ! great ev5t ( 
h] life4 ,i (t5 us$ to *aff h]1 & he> h]
 repeat ! hi/ory ( h] memorable         
adv5ture4         99       99       99  
99       99  ,i w add a little anecdote 
( ,bob ,po9t]1 :o 0 on ! ,ox=d road4    
,giv+ 8 ideas on coa*+ to a "y g5tleman 
:o 0 on ! box ) him1 on 8 way to        
college1 he said3--,soldi]s & sailors   

may soon le>n to fight2 lawy]s & p>sons 
g to college1 :]e !y are cramm$ ) all   
sorts ( nons5se t all ! ,nobs h read &  
wrote s9ce ,adam--( c\rse1 v good if !y 
l x--b to be a coa*man1 sir1 y mu/ g    
into ! /able almo/ be=e y c run alone1 &
 le>n ! nature ( horses & ! diff]5ce    
betwe5 corn & *aff4 ,well c ,i rememb]1 
! fir/ morn+ ,i w5t out ) f\r horses2 ,i
 nev] slept a w9k all night4 ,i got a   
little flurri$ com+ out ( ! y>d1 & look+
 r\nd on ! envi\s *aps :o 7 wat*+ me--x 
0 z bad z gett+ m>ri$--at lea/1 ,i %\ld 
?9k s1 nev] hav+ be5 9 t pr$icam5t      
myself4 ,i h escap$ t dilemma1 =1 he    
conclud$1 :5 a man is always go+        
backw>ds & =w>ds betwe5 two po9ts1 :at  
is ! use ( a wife1 a coa*man c\ld nev]  
be mu* m ?an half m>ri$4 ,n[1 if !      
law--9 ! case ( coa*m5--all[$ two wives1
 t w\ld be q ano!r /ory1 because he c\ld
 !n h ! tea-?+s set out at bo? ends ( 8 
j\rney4 ,driv+1 sir1 is v l life1 x's   
all s smoo? :5 y />t ) ! be/ team1 s    
well-behav$ & h&some2 b get on a bit1 & 

y w f9d y h "s hills to get up & d[n1 ) 
all sorts ( horses1 z !y us$ to give u  
ov] ! middle gr\nd4 ,ano!r ?+1 sir1 nev]
 let y\r horses "k y are driv+ !m1 or1 l
 wom51 !y may get re/ive4 ,don't pull & 
haul1 & /ick y\r elb[s a-kimbo2 keep y\r
 h&s z ?\gh y 7 play+ ! piano2 let e    
horse be at "w1 & don't get flurri$2    
h&le _! m\?s lightly2 d all ?is1 & y    
might ev5 drive f\r "y ladies )\t ev]   
ruffl+ _! fea!rs or _! temp]s4     ,my  
read]s w n1 p]haps1 deem x altoge!r an  
inappropriate conclusion to ?is v humble
 little treatise1 if ,i annex = _!      
amusem5t1 if n = _! edification1 ,! la/ 
,dy+ ,spee* ( ! ,coa*m5 f ,beambridge1 &
 "s two or ?ree o!r mem5toes ( a p]iod &
 ( an in/itution :i* h bo?1 alas6 long  
s9ce pass$ away--& = ev]4     ,,! ,,la/ 
,,dy+ ,,spee* ,,( ,,! ,,coa*m5 ,,f      
,,beam ,,bridge4        ,! days1 nay1 ! 
v nights ( ^? :o h s long      re9$     
supreme ov] ! ,nonp>eils & !            
,brilliants1 !      ,telegraphs & !     
,/>s1 ! ,magnets & ! ,em]alds1 are      

ne>ly at an end1 & ! f9al way-bill ( !  
total ,eclipse is      made up4 ,x is   
positively _! la/ appe>ance on ?is /age4
       ,9 a few weeks !y w be           
unc]emoni\sly pu%$ f _! boxes      by an
 inanimate ?+ ( vap\r & fly:eels--by a  
m$dl+ fell[      9 a clean :ite jacket &
 a face n ditto to mat*1 :o1 m\nt$      
on ! eng9e plat=m1 has = "s weeks be5   
fl\ri%+ a r$      hot pok] ov] _! heads1
 9 triumph at _! discomfiture &         
d[nfall2 & ! turnpike road1 %orn ( its  
glories1 is left      desolate & lone4  
,no m %all ! m]ry rattle ( ! :eels1 z   
! frisky f\r-9-h& c>e]s 9 ! morn+ mi/1  
summon !      village beauty f h] toilet
 to ! w9d[-pane to cat* a      pass+ nod
 ( gallantry2 no m %all !y loit] by !   
way to      trifle ) ! pretty coquette 9
 ! b>1 or light up ano!r      k9d (     
flame = ! fragrant ,havannah fi%$ f     
among/ !      miscellane\s deposits 9 ! 
dep?s ( ! box-coat pockets4 ,true1      
! race 7 always a little fond ( raill]y1
 & !re=e      !y die by :at !y love--we 

speak ( c\rse ( pr(essional             
demise--b no d\bt !y hold x h>d1 aft]   
hav+ s (t5      pull$ up to be ?us pull$
 d[n f _! high em95ces1 &      compell$ 
to s9k into m]e l&lords ( hotels1 f>m]s1
 or      private g5tlem54 ,yet s x is4  
,!y are regul>ly book$4      ,_! places 
are tak5 by "o :o %[s no disposition to 
make      room = !m2 ev5 _! coa*es are  
already beg9n+ to crumble      into ?+s 
t h be52 & _! bodies 7we mean _! coa*   
bodies7 are be+ seiz$ ^u by rural lov+  
folks1 = ! vulg>      purpose (         
summ]-h\ses4 ,b a few days & !y w all   
vani%--         ,& l ! baseless fabric (
 a vision1         ,leave n a trace     
beh9d4       ,no1 n ev5 a buckle1 or an 
in* ( :ipcord2 & if1 "s ye>s      h5ce a
 petrifi$ :ipple tree1 or ! skeleton ( a
 coa*man1      %\ld be turn$ up1 !y w be
 hung up side by side ) ru/y      arm\r 
& ! geological glean+s ( our ant$iluvian
 ance/ors4       ,we _c "p ) our civil1 
oblig+1 g5tlemanly fri5ds ( !      road 
)\t a feel+ ( regret1 & an expression ( 

gratitude      = ! b5efits !y h done u4 
,x 0 pleasant1 aft] a w>m      breakfa/1
 to remove our heels f ! hob1 & ensconce
 oneself      by ! side ( our mod]n     
:ip--to e/abli% a p>tn]%ip 9 8      cosy
 lea!rn apron--to see him h&l+ 8 f\r    
spirit$ bays z      ?\gh 8 re9s 7       
velvet--& hav+1 ) a few famili> words   
& a fri5dly cig>1 drawn ! cork f !      
bottle ( 8 v>i$      in=mation1 to le>n1
 z we slapp$ along at t5 miles an h\r1  
^: p>k x 01 /ret*+ away to ! left1 to   
li/5 to 8      little anecdotes ( horse 
& fle%1 & 8 elucidation ( !      po9ts (
 ! la/ ,d]by4 ,peace to ! manes & to !  
names      ( our hone/ coa*m51 "o & all 
( !m1 & ( _! horses      too--we speak (
 _! :ippi% names1 = 9 ! body we hope    
!y may long t>ry1 & fl\ri% to boot1 9   
o!r dep>tm5ts      ( ! liv+4     ,,an   
,,old ,,fri5d ,,& ,a ,,new ,,face4   ,to
 ! ,editor ( ! ,exet] & ,plym\?         
,gazette4  ,,sir1  ,y w oblige me by    
ins]t+ ! foll[+ 9 y\r pap]1 :i* may be  
amus+ to "s ( y\r read]s3--       ,x is 

a fact well kn[n t :5 ! subscription    
coa*es />t$1      9 ! ye> #ahab1        
,william ,hann+1 ,esq41 a magi/rate ( ! 
c\nty      ( ,som]set1 resid+ ne>       
,ilm9/]1 0 a /r5u\s advocate =      _!  
support1 & x 0 9 great measure ow+ to 8 
ex]tions      t !y 7 e/abli%$4 ,?is     
g5tleman1 f "s motive or      o!r1 or   
p]haps f 8 kn[n fondness = new          
speculations1 is      n[ ! av[$ support]
 ( a new coa*1 call$1 above all o!r     
names1 ! ,defiance1 & x is pr(ess$ly    
meant z an opposition      to !         
subscription coa*es4 ,x />t$ f ,exet] = 
! fir/      "t on ,sunday1 ,april #ac?1 
#ahbc4 ,"o really w\ld h suppos$      t 
"u su* patronage a "n bett] calculat$ to
 keep !      peace ( 8 ,maje/y's liege  
subjects1 & to pres]ve h>mony &         
good-w among m51 w\ld h be5 adopt$ = ?is
 coa*1 &      t "s o!r day might h be5  
select$ = its fir/      appe>ance4      
,h[ev]1 ! ,defiance />t$ on ! ,sunday   
aft]noon1 amid/ ! %\ts & imprecations ( 
gu>ds1 coa*m51      & o/l]s1 cont5d+ "o 

aga9/ ! o!r1 & hav+ "o      ill-look+   
outside pass5g]1 ^: "n 0 ,rev5ge4       
,an int]e/+ occurr5ce took place at     
,ilm9/]4 ,! new      ,defiance 0 expect$
 to arrive !re1 on its way f t[n1       
betwe5 n9e & t5 on ! ,sunday morn+1 & x 
0 det]m9$      to hon\r x ) r++ ! *ur*  
bells4 ,! h]oes ( !      belfry 7 all   
assembl$1 e man at 8 rope's end1 _!     
s\ls on fire1 & eag] = ! fray2 ! ,squire
 0 /ation$      ab\t a mile f ,ilm9/]1 &
 see+ ! coa*1 z he ?\ght1      com+ at a
 di/ance1 he gallop$ ?r\gh ! /reet 9    
triumph1      gave ! signal1 & (f w5t ! 
m]ry peal4 ,e eye 0 soon      direct$ to
 ?is new & delightful object1 :51 guess 
!      con/]nation t prevail$ ^u see+1  
in/ead ( ! new      ,defiance1 ! poor   
old ,subscription trott+ nimbly up to ! 
,george ,inn door1 & ,tom ,goodman1 !   
gu>d1 play+ on !      key-bugle1 ) 8    
usual excell5ce1 ,%\ld auld acqua9tance 
be      =got8 ,! sc5e is m easily imag9$
 ?an describ$2 x w\ld      h be5 a f9e  
subject = ,hog>?4 ,! bells 7 n[ ord]$ to

      cease2 ! ,squire walk$ (f & 0 se5 
no m4 ,hone/ ,tom 0      n accu/om$ to  
?is k9d ( reception2 he _h enliv5$ ! t[n
      ) 8 m]ry notes a ?\s& times1 b n[ 
e "o look$ on      him ) disda91 z if !y
 did n "k him4 ,he c\ld sc>cely         
suppress 8 feel+s2 b aft] a few m9utes' 
reflection he      m\nt$ 8 seat aga91 &1
 ca/+ a good-temp]$ look to all         
ar\nd him1 w5t (f1 play+ a tune :i* !   
occurr5ce & !      sublimity ( ! day    
seem$ to dictate to him--,?r\gh all !   
*ang+ sc5es ( life4 ,"s ( ! good p (    
,ilm9/] :o      7 go+ to *ur* admir$    
,tom's behavi\r1 & said x _h a      v   
good effect4 ,tom arriv$ safe ) 8 coa*  
at ,exet] ab\t      "o o'clock1 hav+    
/>t$ f ,london "o h\r & a half aft]     
! ,defiance1 & p]=m$ ! j\rney 9 n9ete5  
h\rs & a      half4 ,! ,defiance arriv$ 
ab\t an h\r aft] ! ,subscription2      b
 ! proprietors ( ! latt] did n approve (
 ?is sy/em1      & gave ,tom a reprim&1 
direct+ him 9 future to keep on 8       
regul> /eady pace1#ba-99 & n to notice !

 o!r coa*1 :i*      he promis$ to att5d 
to1 b said he only wi%$ to %[ !m1 on    
_! fir/ j\rney1 ! way along4 ,?is1 "u   
all !      circum/ances1 0 admitt$ z an 
excuse4 ,tom w5t away mu*      pleas$ ) 
! adv5tures ( 8 j\rney1 & said he %\ld  
nev] meet ! ,squire aga9 )\t play+ on 8 
bugle ,h>k to      ! m]ry ,*ri/ ,*ur*   
bells4    ,i beg leave to rema91 ,mr4   
,editor1            ,y\r oblig$ ,s]vant1
        ,a ,,fri5d ,,to ,,!             
,,subscription ,,coa*es4   ,,footnotes3 
,footnote #ba-993 ,! regul> "t is to    
p]=m ! j\rney 9 tw5ty-two h\rs--to leave
 ,london at six 9 ! ev5+1 & arrive 9    
,exet] at f\r ! foll[+ aft]noon4        
,,all ,,! ,,_w ,,is ,a ,,/age ,,coa*3   
,,x ,,has ,,its ,,insides ,,&           
,,outsides1 ,,& ,,coa*m5 ,,9 ,,_! ,,"t  
,,see ,,mu* ,,fun4--,old ,play4         
,tune--,! ,huntsman ,w9ds 8 ,horn4      
,"s p delight 9 ! sports ( ! turf       
,:il/ o!rs love only ! *ace1     ,b to  
me1 ! delight above all o!rs is       ,a
 good ,coa* t c g ! pace4     ,!re are  

"s1 too1 = :om ! sea has its *>ms       
,& :o'll s+ ( x night & morn1     ,b    
give me a ,coa* ) its rattl+ b>s        
,& a ,gu>d :o c bl[ 8 horn4             
,b give me a ,coa*1 c4      ,:5 ! ,coa* 
comes r\nd to ! (fice door1       ,:at a
 cr[d to see x />t1     ,& ! ?\ghts ( ! 
drive1 *e] up _m :o leave       ,_!     
fri5ds ) an a*+ he>t4     ,! prads are s
 anxi\sly toss+ _! heads1       ,& a    
nosegay does ea* "o adorn1     ,:5 !    
,dragsman jumps up1 cry+ out sit fa/1   
,:ile ! %oot] bl[s 8 horn4              
,:5 ! ,dragsman jumps up1 c4      ,n[   
m]rily rolls ! ,coa* along1       ,l a  
bird %e seems to fly1     ,z ! girls all
 look out f ! roadside ,inns1       ,= a
 w9k f ! ,dragsman's eye1     ,h[ !y    
long = a ride ) ! man :o's ! pride      
,( ea* village ?r\gh :i* he is borne1   
,on t ,coa* :i* he tools ) s skilful a  
h&1       ,:ile ! ,gu>d plays a tune on 
8 horn4                                 
,on t ,coa*1 c4      ,h[ ! girls all    
dote on ! sight ( ! ,coa*1       ,& !   

,dragsman's curly locks1     ,z he      
rattles along ) elev5 & f\r1       ,& a 
petticoat on ! box4     ,t box is 8     
home1 8 teams are 8 pride1       ,& he  
ne'er feels d[nca/ or =lorn1     ,:5 he 
li/s to ! musical s\nd ( ! b>s1       ,&
 ! tune f ! %oot]'s horn4               
,:5 he li/s1 c4      ,i h sung ( ! joys 
"o feels on a ,coa*1       ,& ! beauty  
!re is 9 a team1     ,s let u all hope  
!y may ne'er be de/roy$       ,by !     
rascally railroads & /eam4     ,!re are 
/ill "s good fri5ds :o'll /ick by ! old 
trade1       ,& :o truly _! abs5ce w\ld 
m\rn1     ,s "h's a heal? to !          
,dragsman1 success to ! b>s1       ,& ! 
,gu>d :o bl[s 8 horn4                   
,s "h's a heal?1 c4     ,tune--,! ,que51
 ,god bless h]4       #a4      ,see t   
spl5did fa/ ,coa*1 well-nam$ ,,tally    
,,ho1       ,) prads t c come ! long    
trot2     ,d _! twelve miles an h\r--l  
fla%es !y g1       ,sp9n+ smoo?ly along 
z a top4      #b4      ,) ,w>d & ,john  
,hex1 or ,h>dca/le & ,judd1       ,h[   

devot$ !y are to ! fair2     ,9 _! ve/s 
!re y f9d ! r$ rose 9 ! bud1            
,p]fum+ ! ,summ] s(t air4               
,tally ,ho1 c41 c4      #c4      ,f\r )9
 & twelve out1 see !y usually />t1      
,& ! horn s\nd+ "r m]rily2     ,good    
hum\r & glee d ^! gay lads imp>t1       
,& _! managem5t's "r to a ,t4      #d4  
,b1 h[ %all we grieve1 :5 ! fam'd ,tally
 ,ho1       ,%>es ! fate ( ^? n[ long   
gone by8     ,yet--we'll toa/ its fond  
mem'ry :]ev] we g1       ,= ! s\nd ( its
 "n %all ne'er die4                     
,tally ,ho1 c41 c4   ,pr9t$ by ,jas4    
,wade1 #ah1 ,tavi/ock-/reet1            
,cov5t-g>d54