THE SILK INDUSTRY IN WESSEX. 87 



For more speedy travelling to London the stage coach, 

 sometimes spoken of as " the machine," was used, but there 

 was apparently only one such service available in 1780-85, 

 when Lilley's Taunton coach passed through Sherborno on 

 three days in the week. 



Chaise hire to Weymouth and home on the next day cost 

 1 lls. 6d. ; the same to Dorchester and back on one day, 

 1 Is. 6d. ; " chaise airings " were 3s. 6d. each, and a saddle 

 horse to Dorchester and back, 5s., as may be seen in Beale's 

 and Oke's bills for 1775 and 1788-9 respectively. 



During a visit to London William Willmott bought a 

 carriage from John Sargent, of Great Queen Street, a district 

 which is still favoured by coach-builders. The account runs 

 thus : 



s. d. 



1782. June 8, To a new post chaise 63 



To a new pair of harness, with hames, collars, polished 



bitts and a postillion saddle.... ... ... ... 990 



72 9 



The new vehicle necessitated a further outlay of 7 19s. 

 for chaise and servant taxes, no inconsiderable item. In 

 the same year a horse " warranted sound " was acquired 

 for 8 18s. 6d., and afterwards " a little horse bought for 

 Jack W." (the eldest son) was added to the stable at the price 

 of 3 3s. Willmott made many journeys on horseback to 

 Chard and other outlying silk-houses, notwithstanding the 

 additional purchase of " a new one-horse chaise complete " 

 from George Hewlett in 1784, at a cost of 29 8s. 



EDUCATION. 



Although several of the sons and grandsons of William 

 Willmott were educated, as already mentioned, at Sherborne 

 School, there are neither documents nor payments which 



