THE " HIGHFLYER." 59 



of Wales. Then Wrexham was also famous for 

 ale, there being no public breweries in those 

 days in Wales ; and, above all, the inn belonged 

 to Sir AYatkin. About two hours were allowed 

 for dinner, but Billy Williams, one of the 

 best-tempered fellows on earth, as honest as 

 Aristides, was never particular to half an hour 

 or so. 



" ' The coach is ready, gentlemen,' he would 

 say ; * but don't let me disturb you if you wish 

 for another bottle.' " 



What a contrast does this furnish to the 

 hasty meals at the railway stations, where the 

 bell for departure is heard long before the 

 hungry passenger has swallowed half his 

 scalding soup, or devoured his plate of cold 

 meat ! 



The removal of posting and coaching from 

 the road has had a baneful effect upon every 

 branch of trade and industry. One example 

 from each line of railway will show the 

 consequences of the change that has taken 

 place. 



In the town of Hounslow, which was the 

 first stage on the Great Western Road, there 

 used to be kept, for the purposes of coaching 

 and posting, two thousand five hundred horses. 



