The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-17
ENGLISH COACHING.
FROM OXFORD TO LoNDoH-AN OLD 1oUTz
REVIVED.

FROM INC Lonuon sportsman, nay IL
Nay Day, 1876 will henceforth be celebrated In the
OF the road the the revival OF the
public stage coach between Oxford and London In
the good old tmes, when the four horse coach was
almost the only means Of public conveyance Oxford
was as well served In that respect any city In the
Kingdom but since the Prince OF Wales which used 70
start from tho Vino Inn OF that city, ceased to
nearly twenty-one years ago, the University the
Isis has not possessed public stage coach In
ton with the metropolis When, therefore, It became
known that the present coach would start on its rst
journey to London from the Clarendon Hotel yesterday
morning there great JOY IN Oxford and when al
the coach actually drawn up outside the door
OF the hotel considerable crowd gathered to witness
It's departure and to express good wishes
Tor the success OF the undertaking. Since
the revival OF. coaching tho longest Journeys
attempted have been those 10 Brighton and
Tunbridge Wells but that to oxford considerably ex-
cceds either Of these in distance being indeed BY far
the longest metropolitan stage coach route at present
existing. Although the journey between Oxford and
Lordon is continuous h is, as a matter Of fact de
vided into two distinct portions the journey
from Oxford to Reading and that from Reading 10 the
White Horse Cellars in Pccadiy The nrst portion Of
the distance has been undertaken by Mr.. Mansel Man
sci, gentleman new TO public stage coaching; the
second metropolitan division being worked by Mr..
Carlton Victor Byth, the popular whip who had the
road between Windsor and Reading last year These
two gentlemen have entered into partnership by
which they agree keep the coach tho road till the
end OF July under any and in the event
OF the experiment proving successful to continue to
tho close Of the coaching season. curious item Of
this agreement contains provision that In the event
Of the Oxford coach arriving in Reading after the
advertised time Mr. Manse Mansel agrees TO provide
the passengers with q champagne luncheon free
Of charge and also to post them on TO London 1t
his own expense. The first portion Of the route u
divided into three stages, and IL worked by fifteen
horscs-four for each stage and three spare horscs
This very handsome lot have been collected by Mr.
John Hetherngton, Of Edgeware road The coach Il
the same as that used the Gudord road last year
For the second portion Of the journey Mr. Blyth has
magnificent new coach, built by Messrs. Holland e
Holland is in lightness strength and general ex-
cellcnce very model OF what stage coach should
be- Like that used in the earlier stages, ID painted
black with yellow panels and under carriage The
journey between Reading and the Cellars Is divided
into five stages and served by nearly thirty horses
collected for Mr. Blyth by Mr.. Williams. The coach
leaves Oxford alternate days-namcly Monday,
Wednesday and Friday-and returns from London on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Having thus far
put my readers in possession Of tho material facts Of
the new venture will cndeavor shortly to describe
the journey.
The weather in Oxlordshre and Berkshire on SUM-
day last most unpromising. There was bitter
cold wind accompanied with torrents OF rain causing
considerable depression OF spirits among those who
had determined TO undertake this heightened journey
on top OF coach. When, therefore, Monday morning
arrived with lcaden sky and keen blast, all that
could be said was that tho weather showed trihing
Improvement on that OF the previous day. ny ten
O'Clock in tho morning, the time appointed for the
start tho sky began to brighten, the sIatc-colorcd
cloud displayed riffs OF blue and here and there
terry sunbeam struggled to light up the streets IN
momentary laughter The eager and good-h umorcd
crowd which stood about tho doorway ana within ths
vestlbuc ot the Clarendon Hotel 10 watcE the match
less team OF roans which were to convey us on our
journey, made all sorts OF promises OF fine weather
mounted into places; and when, as the clock
struck ten Mr. Mansel tho word TO let go the lead
crs heads started with as light hearts as II the SKY
had been Of uncloudcd blue. The horn rang out
morrly with old ''Tantivy;'' the roans, grand team
costing over 90 guimeas LOOK Inc cos. w an ,h
High" past Magdaen College over Magdalen Bridge
toward Nuneham Out Of the city the weather began
as Jolly party as ever sat behind four horscA Tn
went leaving homcstcads and fat fields behind Us,
through picturesque Nuncham, all be poplared BY the
roadside until 10 nrst change at Dorches.
ter Thence went gayly along over Shilliugford
ford and Moulsiordever went the great arch Vi
sky above heads growing buer and buer IN front
OF Us Behind the ram clouds came scudding Ia Gus
laughter and light hearts second change Strea
ley. From Streatey to 9angbourne we get splendid
s snd'' waving woo1s tall banks Srsensry
and charming bits OF broken ground, aud
through all tho silent, speeding Thamsa
winds and giistens at our feet. am insensiby 70.
minded Of Turner's great picture OF Rail, Road and
River" AT our right the railway runs close 70 the
road along which travel, and by the side OF the
road-the whole within a distance of ntty feet-1owa
the glorious old river Mr.. Manscl handles the rib
bons with excellent skill, and gayy through
PAM hat If fla 10
ROAD into Reading, reaching tue Queens Hotel 1t the
very moment OF his appointed time a. Reading
for luncheon. cannot take leave OF Mr. Manscl with
out expressing my sense Of his courtesy and kndness
and can promise any OF my readers who may travel
on the coach between oxford and Reading that they
will be under the care Of skilled whip and most
pleasant companion.
To SEQ the vast crowd OF people in the streets Of
Reading might have thought that royalty and NOT
q stage coach, was making IT'S progress through the
town Tho roads blocked with swarms Of friendly
sightsecrA They leaned out OF windows and stood IN
doorways; they filled the road and made ring round
the coach; and started to leave gave US good
ringing cheer just daring explorers bent
dangerous expedition instead OF coach load
OF holiday makers bound on pleasure trip The en-
made the salute passed had this picture in
my minds eye when first described Mr. Blyth ~
being popular Popular no Is nj Reading, without
doubt; not only as hear because the good people Of
that ond Of coachng-as all good people must
bcbut also because ne Is = man OF generous heart
and liberal hand. Mr. Blyth 10 perfect enthusiast
In coaching He has dial set In the footboard close 10
his feet, and by this dial he sweara BY that do nos
that the gentleman guilty OF cxpetves but that
he keeps his timo to the mnute and when, hours ses
starting out OF Reading were passing through
Hnmmcrsmith could not doubt him when he told me
that he would rather 20 with.
out his dinner than DO minute late at Hatchetta:
Generous, boisterous, coach-loving MI Bysn ncee
have fear; he never will be minute ate-men u
his stamp never Led away by the passing recok
lection Of Mr.. Blyths punctuaiy. have stopped u
my description Of the journey. and may, therefore,
take this opportunity to mention that NJ Byths pro
fessional coachman 10 the well known Edwin Fown-s.
who served Colonel Kane with the Virginia Watei
coach nst season Soon amer leaving Reading We were
overtakeu by smart shower, but tho weather cleared
up almost before reached Twyford, and wc were
onco moro under tho blue when wo paused for our
first change at Hare HATCH where harnessed TO the
coach capital pair OF wheeler. and Two magnincent
bay leaders. Apropos OF metnodcai Mr.. Blyth. Like
the late Major Wilmington he has every horse named,
and like that gentleman, he has chosen the initial q
his own surname the initial Of every horse ID
his stables; thus team consisted Of Butcher,
Baker, Barbara and Banker and 30 with every one q
the twenty used the nvc stages to town. From
Hare Hatch road lies through nnowl Hill 70 Maiden
head, where halt et the Bear and 80 drive alouo
i