THE HATH ROAD 



ii 



was better. Earlier roads, more adhesive mud. And 

 when snow was on the ground, more adhesive snow ; 

 causing coaches to stand on their heads in snow drifts : 

 and guards with blue noses to mount the unharnessed 

 leaders and " take on the mails." Small wonder then 

 that in 1668 the Bath Flying Machine sticks fast and 

 needs four cart horses, pressed into the service, after much 

 bawling, to pull it on to firm land again. Meanwhile it 

 has blocked the road for an hour to all but the fortunate 



A Breakdown : Taking' on the Mails. 



people who can afford to ride post. Amongst these 

 envied ones of the earth is his Grace the Duke of Buck- 

 ingham, who rides furiously by, scattering the mud far 

 and wide on each side of him — his rich dress disordered 

 and travel-stained, his horse covered with foam — his 

 attendants spurring to keep up with his headlong pace 

 and cursing the Bath Coach as they ride by it. His 

 Grace is making for Cliefden, 



"The bower of wanton Shrewsbury and of Love,' 5 



