THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Post-horses are mentioned in the Tlieodosian code {<U ciirsib 

 imblico), but I doubt whether, any use could be made of them, 

 except by persons travelling in the service of the state. At all 

 events, I remember Pliny found himself compelled to ask per- 

 mission of his o-overnment to avail himself of their services to 

 carry his sick wife. In the year 1548, horses for riding 'ponU 

 were let out in England at a penny per mile ; but when post- 

 ing by carriages commenced, it is not in my power to deter- 

 mine. I think somewhere about the same time, although to 

 a very limited extent. It is, indeed, only within these last 

 twenty years that English gentlemen have desisted from the 

 practice of what is termed riding post from their country seats 

 to London, good hackneys being provided for themselves and 

 servants on the roads.' 



' And not a bad way of travelling,' observed Frank ; ' next 

 to a seat on a coach-box, behind good horses, I should prefer 

 it to any other.' 



' Very good,' resumed the uncle, ' for gentlemen of a 

 certain age, and of certain personal dimensions ; but it would 

 hardly have suited me. It was all very well, however, for 

 gentlevien to travel in this way, because they could go just as 

 far in the course of the day as they felt inclined to do ; and 

 no doubt but, by the change in the action of the muscles, the 

 result of changing the horses, they could travel a long way 

 without feeling fatigued, if in the previous habit of fast riding. 

 But there is one practice amongst our noblemen and country 

 gentlemen which they carry to the verge of cruelty. I allude 

 to their making their servants ride post-horses, after their 

 carriages, when they travel post, and often to the extent of 

 from 200 to 300 miles, with very little intermission. This is 

 a system that ought to be done away with, and no doubt will 

 soon be remedied, as it is calling too severely on the personal 

 exertions of servants.' ^ 



'Allow me to ask you,' said Frank, 'now^ that we are on 

 the subject of the road, what distance of ground ought to be 

 implied by the word onde, for I have heard many disputes on 

 the subject ? ' 



' A dispute on this subject,' replied Mr. Raby, ' is imme- 



' It is scarcely necessary to observe, the placing runil)les, or dickeys, on the 

 hinder jiart of gentlemen's carriages has caused the abandonment of tiiis system 

 of servants riding jiost. 



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