Museum of the Horse

Building a Future for Horses out of the Past

Coaching & Heavy Horses

The Road to Brighton 1824

PLATE 1

These are four wonderful prints describing the road to Brighton by coach and horses. In the background of the first hand-coloured print we see a millanery shop owned by a Jane Fisher, she imports foreign products.  There is a post chaise company to the left of the picture. We see a variety of people some looking for their money, others have just arrived in their post chaise and have booked to travel by stage to Brighton. 

The publisher is Thos McLean, 26 The Haymarket 1824. The artist or engraver is John Dean Paul Esq.,  delt. 

There is a quote from Shakespeare: ‘ Oh! these exactions they are most pestilent to the hearing. 

On the other side is written: Remember it is optional, Love, Law, Physic. 

PLATE 2

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This shows the chaos which can occur on the roads of that time. A gentleman causing havoc, people being knocked over, general fright and confusion. 

Quotes: ‘Alack I am afraid.’ ‘Too many eggs in one basket.’ My Lord no more of that, you mar all by this starting.’ when t’is done then t’were well it were done quickly.’

 

PLATE 3

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Oh dear! This print shows just how bad it can get. A horse has broken its harness and got loose from the others. The stage overturns. A gentleman hopes his horse behaves and he escapes accident. another stage has stopped and a bow top farm cart waits to see if it can help with two quiet bays. 

the quotes:  ‘Rusticus expectat.’ (He waits more rustically) ‘Down with nose down with it flat.’ Timon of Athens.  “Whiles I may scape I will preserve myself.’ ‘Both stile and gate horseway and footpath, poor Tom been scared out of his good wits.’

PLATE 4

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At last they have arrived, at the Marine Parade, Brighton. It looks very busy, a double charabang, a landau, and a woman riding side saddle on a donkey, and another woman with a generous backside, obviously greeting friends, is riding a grey. 

Quotes: ‘Transport and security.’  ‘Am I then a man to be beloved.’ Shakespeare.

‘As in Presenti’   (as absent)  ‘In latus omnc patent.’  (They are open on all sides)  ‘Sunt quos curricula.’ (There are those who are in the career)