Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1883 — Coaches in the Bays of George IV. [ARTICLE]

Coaches in the Bays of George IV.

Hackney coaches were always drawn by a pair of horses, for the most part miserable-looking creatures, which it would have been cruelty to urge to any speed, though I fancy they were capable of keeping up their jog-trot for a considerable time. The drivers were usually elderly men, attired in stonecolored greatcoats with many capes. I also just r. member two or three sedanchairs waiting for hire near the old squares at the wost end of town, but they were worn and shabby, though with likeness enough of their better selves to recall Hogarth’s pictures to mind. There were stage-coaches from certain central points to the suburbs running several times a day, but seldom starting on their last journey later than 8:30 o’clock p. m. Small chance was there of procuring a place in the “last coach” from any suburban district without the preliminary ceremony of booking it. There was always, however, and at all hours of the day, one hope—though often a forlorn one—for the tired wayfarer, and this was a “return chaise.” The phrase familiar enough fifty or sixty years ago has no meaning now, but when railways were not, and the wealthier classes traveled chietlyby aid of post horses, the empty postcliaise on its return journey was ofl en to be seen on the highroad. The postilion, to be sure, always kept his eyes open to catch any sign from a pedestrian going the same way, for it was a common thing for the roomy yellow chariot to halt and a little bargain be struck, in accordance with which the pedestrian obtained “a lift.” —London Society.