7 FEBRUARY 1891, Page 28

An Old Coachman's Chatter. By Edward Corbett. (Bentley and Sons.)—Mr.

Corbett describes himself as a " semi-professional," i.e., he was a gentleman by birth, who filled the post of stage- coach driver so long as to gain a professional expertness, and also, as we understand him, earned his living by the occupation, either in whole or in part. On this same point of a living he has some interesting facts to tell. A " box " or " drive " " which did not bring in twenty shillings a day was not thought much of, and some were worth double." "I have myself fingered forty-five shillings in one day." But, ho adds, " I was then driving as much as ninety-three miles a day, and had no guard." Many other curious things Mr. Corbett has to communicate. If readers themselves should aspire to the somewhat perilous honour of driving a coach, he has hints which are doubtless valuable, and which are illustrated by drawings to suit them.