his death he left a sum of money, on the
condition of the Mail Guard always blowing the horn when he passed the
place of his interment, Farlington Church, near Havant.

Prior to becoming a Mail Guard, Luke Kent kept the turnpike gate at Post
Bridge, and afterwards became landlord of the Goat public house, where
he amassed a good fortune. He then opened the Sadler's Wells and was
assisted by James Perry, the most celebrated mimic of his time, who
assumed the name of Rossignal. He was accustomed to procure a variety
of birds, and, having first given his excellent imitation of the songs
of each, to let them loose amongst the audience, to their no small
gratification. The scheme failed.

In June, 1804, one of the Portsmouth night coaches, having six inside
and fifteen outside passengers, besides a surplus of luggage, was
overturned near Godalming, Surrey. Twelve of the passengers sustained
considerable hurt, and nine were obliged to be left behind; the lives of
two children were said to be despaired of. "We are astonished at the
temerity of the public in trusting themselves to such vehicles."

A Time Bill of 1823, which gives details of a Coach Service at that
period, appears on page 83.

GENERAL POST-OFFICE.
THE EARL OF CHICHESTER AND THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY, HIS
MAJESTY'S POSTMASTERS-GENERAL.

PORTSMOUTH AND BRISTOL:

Contractors'| Number of | | Time |Dispatched from the Post Office, Portsmouth,
Names. |Passengers.|Miles.|allowed|1823, at 7.20, 22nd March.
|In. Out.| |H. M.|
| | | |
| | | | by Clock.
| | | | {With a Time-Piece safe.
{| | | |Coach No. 240 sent out {No. 69 to Devonshire.
Rogers {| 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 10 |Arrived at Fareham, at 8.30.
{| 4 | 4 |12-1/2| 1 50 |Arrived at Southampton, at 10.20.
{| | | | 10 | Ten Minutes allowed for Office Duty.
Rogers | 3 | 4 | 8 | 1 5 |Arrived at Rumsey, at 11.35.
Weeks | 3 | 4 | 16 | 2 20 |Arrived at Salisbury, at 1.55.
| | | | 10 | Ten Minutes allowed for Office Duty.
Hilliar | 1 | 1 | 22 | 3 0 |Arrived at Warminster, at 5.5.
{| 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 5 |Arrived at Beckington, at 6.10.
Pickwick {| 1 | 1 | 10 |