A much overloaded stage-coach is driven left to right; the horses are galloping, on each is an amateur postillion. On the roof is a monstrous pile of trunks and packing-cases, &c, some inscribed 'white lead', 'candles', 'glass', 'soap', with a barrel of 'porter' on the top. Four persons are seated on the roof behind the box; one says "i suppoze bye & bye the passengers will all ride on the outside & the luggage within". The driver is a slim undergraduate in cap and gown; one man sits next him; at their feet, in a receptacle for parcels, &c, are four persons whose heads appear. In the much-extended basket behind the coach are seventeen persons, one of whom is a giant; he receives attentions from two women, one saying, "pray sir are you married". An irishman says, "i say we have just got the game 31 my bays, tho' the tall scotchman weighs as much as four". A scot answers, "hoot mon, i had rather twanty muckle scotchman were on the tap then sae mony kists". The one inside passenger, wearing a coat with a quadruple cape and probably the coachman, leans out of the window, saying, "i'm an inside passenger & gave him leave to drive if he should brake a few necks its as the act directs". On the off-leader a sailor sits facing the horse's tail. Next him is an irishman whose hat the driver has just flicked off with his whip; a paper flies in the air behind him: 'address highness. Comg to the throne'. He says, "by jasus they told me the address would be in before the coach, but i think i see it going back again i wish i was in its pocket". Behind him on the near wheeler sits another irishman flourishing a club and saying, "arah honey i never rode outside of a coach before". The man on the off-wheeler clutches the reins desperately. The road leads up a very steep hill, a signpost (right) pointing to 'turn over hill'. The coach is inscribed 'holyhead'; on the door are the royal arms and 'according to act of parliament'. 1 january 1791. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1791. Dimensions: Height: 231 mm; Width: 424 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Sir Richard Gamon. Collection: British Museum. How to gammon the deep ones or the way to overturn a coach according to act of p-l-m-t. (BM J,4.88)
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