Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ... THE STAGE COACH OF OLD, AND THE LOAD IT USED TO CARRY. The coachman of the present day has no idea of what a coach-load of former days was; he could have no idea of what a coach was doomed to carry, unless he had been there to see. In the first place, there were four inside and twelve out, exclusive of the coachman and guard. The fore-boot was full of small parcels, the hind-boot was the same; the roof of the coach was piled up as high as it could be to allow of its passing under the archway of the inn; and boxes and carpet-bags, guncases, hampers, and every description of luggage for the sixteen people who were inside and out, were heaped up and hanging over the sides of the roof, which was all covered down with a tarpaulin, and securely strapped down with a broad leather strap. It was wonderful to behold, and wonderful to imagine how it could all be stowed away. On the very lamp-irons you would often see game baskets hung, and hares and pheasants dangling down. Under the coach there was often swung a 'cradle, ' into which various things which could go nowhere else were put; in fact, the whole packing of a heavy load was marvellous, and what none but a guard of the olden time dare attempt. In spite of all this heavy loading there was seldom a break-down, and really not often an accident of any kind; and on an opposition coach this was a wonder, for the pace that on some occasions was kept up was 'no joke, ' such galloping was there one against another, such 'corner-creeping, ' and such machinations to be first. Many a time have I seen a coach pulled up, and changed, and off again, without the coachman ever getting off his box; the horsekeeper, or one of them--for there were generally two or three--throwing a rein over the whip as he drew
