The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-30


With the beginning of spring begin tho
new coaching DAYS. PiccadllY II enliyened at
morning ana evening with the start aud the re-
turn OF four iD-nands, and with the ringing
notes OF the horn. A coach over Shooters mn
TO Seveno ks began running this day week, and
one to Guildford starts to-day, 10 be speedily
followed by coaches along the old roads to Wat
ford In one direction, to oxford In another, and
70 runorldge Wells, We believe, In third, Pas
senRers by these splendidy hOrsed vehicles en-
Joy many advantages. Tbey will be forciDly re-
minded Of wat the good old coaching days
really used TO be, and t.ey will have an oppor
tunity Of deciding whether they prefer the loco
motion ~ tue past or That Of tho present the
road or the railroad.
In the descriptions OF the world Of forty years
ago coaching plays a great part. Writers ike
Mr.. DickeIs have composed the cheerlest sc.
counts OF the Journeys Of that time. Through
villages where Boys rusned To the doors and tho
tinld maiden neglected her bObblns to stare at
tue passing st.ge co oh; bIong heaths where a
stray hignwaymun was stun not an impossible
beingi over irdges, through fords, under fra
grant trches % line trees, the coach ot fiction
ana fancy rat led swif lY, a pleasant spect Gle,
The passengers amused themse YES by fiirta-
tiOn, by the study ~ human character, by tho
conversation OF tho driver. Happy was he who
had tho OuX set, especially Ii he was Of the
horse, horsey. aud liked 90 talk about bull-ter-
Hers and "Suhok punches The couchnHn was
as good as u sporting newspaper In the flesh, nd
the guard was county history. Tue travellers
learned what the + &c Of their countrJ was like,
ana could improve their minds, like the young
man who travell d with Maoauiay and asked
what that pretty town might be they had lust
gone thTougn2 Now Tho town was Oxford nnd
tne rather ignorant young man certainly learned
more OF II than II he had mercy boon whirled
pdst inc antique spires ny the Great Western
II broad. Whon topography became a boro, tho
passe ngors would take refuge In fiction aud
listen to old stories OF DICK Iurpin aud Of the
Golden Farmer. Acqudintances wero nado
mOte easily man in the modern train, where a
m MS companions are Justly suspected OF being
hkelY To VeX him witt conversation which
strains the ears and the throat, even II they
have no worse Intentions There was no ring
lnG 81 metal and rafting OF Windows to
m ke isis maudile Ia the old coaching
Gays. There was leisure % find out
fellow travellers strong points, aud, after
trying him on poetry, theology, Iol-
tics, and the rest, to discover, as Scott did
once, that his speciality was bend leather. The
very risks OF TINS method Of locomouon are de-
scrbed 4 having been enjoyable. They gavo
the gallant bhgnan chance to comfort and
consOic tho fair, aud an excuse for taking some
moro milk punch, or whatever the appropriate
beverage might be. lnero was much eating and
drinking. Tho iuns were more picturesque and
Interesting piaces than Bailway refreshments
room, ana old hanCs speak londly OF "a mixture
called "oarly purl," which Is probably not now
to 10 had NJ Swlndon, or at YORK, or Carlisle.
All these Delights with the GROWING one OF
rapid motion through open air blowing over
heaths and downs, mako up the memories OF
the old coaching days. They arc softened and
naImonlzed by distance, and he VINO thinks
fondly Of Il EN- holds that England then was
merrk England