Some verses printed in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_ at this time may also be quoted as reflecting the general opinion about the bill. “Before Bohemian _Anne_ was Queen, Astride their steeds were ladies seen; And good Queen _Bess_ to _Paul’s_, I wot, Full oft astride has jogg’d on trot: Beaus then could foot it thro’ all weather, And nothing fear’d but wear of leather. But now (so luxury decrees) The polish’d age rolls on at ease: Coach, chariot, chaise, berlin, landau[41] (Machines the ancients never saw) Indulge our gentle sons of war, Who ne’er will mount triumphant car. The carriage marks the peer’s degree, And almost tells the doctor’s fee; Bears ev’ry thriving child of art; Ev’n thieves to _Tyburn_ claim their cart. O cruel law! replete with pain, That makes us use our feet again; Or, half our pair oblig’d to lack, Bids us bestride the other’s back. A shilling stage would suit with many, Who cannot reach an eighteen penny. _Rock_ must enhance the price of pills, Or drive again—one pair of wheels. The graduate too will be to seek, Who mounts his chariot twice a week: For if the hackneymen should grumble, I fear our Phaeton[41] must tumble. O cruel law! to raise the fare Of Christmas turkey, chine, and hare; The vails or wages to retrench Of country serving-man or wench, Who twice a year ride up and down, Betwixt their native place and town. O cruel tax! who must not say, Which only those who will—need pay?” From this bill, those who used the one-horse chaises certainly suffered. _Rusticus_ thereupon offered the following advice to his fellow-sufferers at the time of the next General Election:— “Ye who late loll’d in easy _chaise and one_, And now must walk, or ride _Old Grey_ or _Dun_, Enquire when wheels were tax’d (to mend your fate) What patriots, _spokesmen_ were in the debate. And get this act, a promise to revoke, Or _put_ into each _spokesman’s_ wheel a _spoke_.” _Chapter the Seventh_ _THE WAR OF THE WHEELS: WITH SOME CURIOSITIES, REGAL AND OTHERWISE_ “The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. “So three doors off the chaise was stayed, When they did all get in, Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin.” _John Gilpin._