sly afforded to its forerunner, which treated of Mail and
Post Office topics from earliest times.

I have been rendered very material assistance in my researches by Mr.
J.A. Housden, late of the Savings Bank Department, G.P.O., London; also
by Mr. L.C. Kerans, ex-postmaster of Bath, and Messrs. S.I. Toleman and
G.E. Chambers, ex-assistant Superintendents of the Bristol Post Office.

I have gathered many interesting facts from "Stage Coach and Mail," by
Mr. C.G. Harper, to whom I express hearty indebtedness; and I am also
under deep obligation to Mr. Edward Bennett, Editor of the "St.
Martin's-le-Grand Magazine," and the Assistant Editor, Mr. Hatswell, for
much valuable assistance.

R.C.T.

BRISTOL, _September, 1905_.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE EARLIEST BRISTOL POSTS, 1580.--FOOT AND
RUNNING POSTS.--THE FIRST BRISTOL POSTMASTERS:
ALLEN AND TEAGUE, 1644-1660.--THE POST
HOUSE.--EARLIEST LETTERS, 1662. _Page_ 1

CHAPTER II.

THE POST HOUSE AT THE DOLPHIN INN, IN DOLPHIN
STREET, BRISTOL, 1662.--EXCHANGE AVENUE AND
SMALL STREET POST OFFICES, BRISTOL. _Page_ 8

CHAPTER III.

ELIZABETHAN POST TO BRISTOL.--THE QUEEN'S
PROGRESS, 1574. _Page_ 16

CHAPTER IV.

THE ROADS.--THE COACH.--MR. JOHN PALMER'S
MAIL COACH INNOVATIONS, 1660-1818. _Page_ 22

CHAPTER V.

APPRECIATIONS OF RALPH ALLEN, JOHN PALMER,
AND SIR FRANCIS FREELING, MAIL AND COACH
ADMINISTRATORS. _Page_ 45

CHAPTER VI.

BRISTOL MAIL COACH ANNOUNCEMENTS, 1802, 1830.--THE
NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE, LONDON. _Page_ 62

CHAPTER VII.

THE BRISTOL AND PORTSMOUTH MAIL FROM 1772
ONWARDS.--PROJECTED SOUTH COAST RAILWAY
FROM BRISTOL, 1903.--THE BRISTOL TO SALISBURY
POSTBOY HELD UP.--MAIL COACH ACCIDENTS.--LUKE
KENT AND RICHARD GRIFFITHS, THE MAIL
GUARDS. _Page_ 75

CHAPTER VIII.

THE BUSH TAVERN, BRISTOL'S FAMOUS COACHING
INN, AND JOHN WEEKS, ITS WORTHY BONIFACE,
1775-1819.--THE WHITE LION COACHING HOUSE,
BRISTOL, ISAAC NIBLETT.--THE WHITE HART, BATH. _Page_ 93

CHAPTER IX.

TOLL GATES AND GATE KEEPERS. _Page_ 110

CHAPTER X.

DARING ROBBERIES OF THE BRISTOL MAIL BY
HIGHWAYMEN, 1