xed by the Government for the postboys was seven
miles an hour in the summer months, the actual rate attained on the
Bristol, Chester, and York Roads was only four miles, and was
half-a-mile less on the Gloucester and Plymouth routes. An appended note
stated that a man spent seventeen or eighteen hours in riding from
Winchester to Southampton. In December, Lord Arlington complained to the
postal authorities that the King's letters from Bristol and other towns
were delayed from ten to fourteen hours beyond the proper time, and
ordered that the Postmasters should be threatened with dismissal unless
they reformed.

In 1667 a London and Oxford Coach was performing the 54 miles between
the two cities in two days, halting for the intervening night at
Beaconsfield: and in the same year the original Bath Coach was the
subject of this proclamation:

"FLYING MACHINE."--"All those desirous of passing from London to Bath,
or any other place on their Road, let them repair to the 'Belle Sauvage'
on Ludgate Hill, in London, and the 'White Lion' at Bath, at both which
places they may be received in a Stage Coach, every Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday, which performs the whole journey in Three Days (if God
permit) and sets forth at 5 o'clock in the Morning.

"Passengers to pay One Pound Five Shillings each, who are allowed to
carry fourteen Pounds Weight--for all above to pay three-halfpence per
Pound."

It was only after repeated appeals to the Government that a "Cross Post"
was established between Bristol and Exeter for inland letters in 1698,
thus substituting a journey of under 80 miles for one of nearly 300,
when the letters were carried through London. In this case, however,
Bristol letters to and from Ireland were excluded from the scheme,
and they still had to pass through the Metropolis.

[Illustration: I've nothing to brag on But driving my Waggon. _Temp:
Georgius III._]

Even at a later date, when strong representations were made to the Post
Office, Ralph Allen, of Bath, who had the control of the Western Mails,
refused to allow a direct communication between Bristol and Ireland, but
offered if the postage from Dublin to London were paid, to convey the
letters to Bristol gratis.

At this period there were quaint public waggons on the Bristol Road, as
depicted in the illustration.

The "Pack Horse" at Chippenham, and the "Old Pack Horse," and the "Pack
Horse and Talbot," at Turnham Green, were, in 1739, halting places