Of Oxford, now I'm Sheriff--more's the pity. 'Tis said, 'tis good, our griefs and joys t'impart To kindly souls, and many a sorrowing heart Where brooded hopeless, melancholy grief, From sympathising friends has drawn relief. May it be so with me! full many an hour I've funk'd and stew'd[11] to think what earthly power Could nerve me up sufficiently to fill (The heart being sadly wanting, not the will,) My Sheriff's office; even now a gleam Of hope, though far, far off, is dimly seen By my mind's eye,[12] new light within me burns, Some welcome sprite my fear to courage turns, Makes glad my heart, and bids my spirits rise! What ho! within, some brandy and mince pies! Uncork a bottle of that curious wine Which once belonged to that grandfather mine Who first from Holland, settled at Cane End. Bring up, I say, a bottle! pray luck send It be a good one! for 'tis true enough It's either quite tip-top, or horrid stuff, Like Thoyt's horse,[13] of which I knowledge had Extremely good, or else extremely bad! Here is a bottle! ah! 'tis wondrous kind, Brilliant and sparkling, suited to the mind Of more than sheriff, aldermanic quite! I'll floor the bottle, then I'll say, "Good night"[14] [1] Mr. Waddell, partner in the great coaching firm of Coster and Waddell. At his funeral Mr. William Bowers, better known as "Black Will," the oldest servant in his employ, drove the hearse. [2] The celebrated "Tantivy" eighteen stone guard, nevertheless, as active as a really good yacht sailor, familiarly known by gownsmen as "Double Glos'ter." [3] The accomplished artist who many years worked the "Tantivy" along with Mr. Cracknell. Their style, and the performance of their splendid bay team from Woodstock into Oxford, equalled any thing known in coaching days, and are still in my mind's eye as they used to pass my windows in the Old Grove at luncheon time. _Teste_ W. S. VAUX of the British Museum. Mr. Cracknell was on the Brighton coach this season, and it _was_ a _treat_ to sit alongside him. [4] His son still carries on the business in Castle Street, Reading, with increased talent. _Teste_ two things just done for the author, 1868. Mr. Brown used to supply the Sheriff's coach, in which the under Sheriff usually posted up to Oxford. [5] _Guas_ must be pronounced as spelled; _Guas_ are well known to lawyers and clients also. [6] Shackleford, of George Lane, Oxford, one of the best four-horse coach builders. He did the Tantivy work and all the other coaches that ran through Oxford. _Teste_ the late James Castle of 44, Corn Market, son of the well-known J. Castle, of the Blenheim. [7] The annotator confesses to being pretty considerably flummaxed by this allusion. That some existing person is meant, appears from the context, or else how could fun be poked by him? said Master Phil.