de Clonmel. In 1818 he established a car between Waterford
and Ross, in the following year a car between Waterford and Wexford,
and another between Waterford and Enniscorthy. A few years later he
established other cars between Waterford and Kilkenny, and Waterford
and Dungarvan. From these furthest points, again, other cars were
established in communication with them, carrying the line further
north, east, and west. So much had the travelling between Clonmel and
Waterford increased, that in a few years (instead of the eight or ten
passengers conveyed by Tom Morrissey's boat on the Suir) there was
horse and car power capable of conveying a hundred passengers daily
between the two places.
Bianconi did a great stroke of business at the Waterford election of
1826. Indeed it was the turning point of his fortunes. He was at
first greatly cramped for capital. The expense of maintaining and
increasing his stock of cars, and of foddering his horses was very
great; and he was always on the look-out for more capital. When the
Waterford election took place, the Beresford party, then all-powerful,
engaged all his cars to drive the electors to the poll. The popular
party, however, started a candidate, and applied to Bianconi for help.
But he could not comply, for his cars were all engaged. The morning
after his refusal of the application, Bianconi was pelted with mud.
One or two of his cars and horses were heaved over the bridge.
Bianconi then wrote to Beresford's agent, stating that he could no
longer risk the lives of his drivers and his horses, and desiring to be
released from his engagement. The Beresford party had no desire to
endanger the lives of the car-drivers or their horses, and they set
Bianconi free. He then engaged with the popular party, and enabled
them to win the election. For this he was paid the sum of a thousand
pounds. This access of capital was greatly helpful to him under the
circumstances. He was able to command the market, both for horses and
fodder. He was also placed in a position to extend the area of his car
routes.
He now found time, amidst his numerous avocations, to get married! He
was forty years of age before this event occurred. He married Eliza
Hayes, some twenty years younger than himself, the daughter of Patrick
Hayes, of Dublin, and of Henrietta Burton, an English-woman. The
marriage was celebrated on the 14th of February, 1827; and the ceremony
was performed by the late
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