36 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



FURTHER REGULATIONS. DE QUINCY ON COACHING, 



The dignity of the General Post Office at St. Martin's-le- 

 Grand is carefully guarded by various provisions. There 

 no hackney carriage may stand or ply for hire. No 

 hawker, newsvendor, or idle or disorderly person may 

 stop or loiter on the flagway or pavement ; if they do so, 

 they forfeit for every such offence five pounds. 



In 1844, the proprietor of a coach agreed to pay 200/. 

 a-year to the Post Office for the privilege of carrying the 

 mails from Lancaster to Carlisle twice a day, rather than 

 be obliged to ' take off his bars.' In case heavy mails 

 were expected, the General Post Office would secure the 

 two seats behind the box seat, and the guard would make 

 use of the room for his bags. More than six trunks or 

 carpet bags no guard was allowed to take on the roof. 

 This reminds me of a story told me by Mr. Nevill above- 

 mentioned. Our friend J n B 1, giving his instruc- 

 tions to a young guard going down to Bristol on the mail, 

 said ' You'll only take portmanteaus, i.e. those things 

 covered with leather or hair.' On his return journey Mr. 



J n B 1 being there to see (then Inspector of Mail 



Guards he was), what was seen but a big black dog a top ! 



