TRAVELLING IX 1739. 77 



" In March I changed my Welsh school for 

 one nearer to the capital, and travelled in the 

 Chester stage, then no despicable vehicle for 

 country gentlemen. The first day, with much 

 labour, we got from Chester to Whitchurch, 

 twenty miles ; the second day to the " Welsh 

 Harp," the third to Coventry, the fourth to 

 Northampton, the fifth to Dunstable; and, as a 

 wondrous effort, on the last to London before 

 the commencement of the nio-ht. The strain 

 and labour of six horses, sometimes eight, drew 

 us through the slough of Mireden and many 

 other places. We were constantly out two hours 

 before day, and as late at night, and in the depth 

 of Winter proportionately later. Families who 

 travelled in their own carriages contracted with 

 Benson and Co., and were dragged up in the same 

 number of days." 



The single gentlemen — then a hardy race — 

 equipped in jack-boots, rode post, through almost 

 impassable roads, guarded against the mire, defy- 

 ing the frequent stumbles and falls, pursuing 

 their journey with alacrity, while in these our 

 days their enervated posterity sleep away their 

 rapid journeys in easy railway carriages, fitted 

 for the soft inhabitants of Sybaris. I can vouch 

 for the latter, for I left York a few weeks 



