PROCESSION OF MAILS ON THE KING'S BIRTHDAY. 41 



after all was that stirring note so clearly blown and well 

 drawn out, and every now and again sounded by the 

 guards, and alternated with such airs as ' The days when 

 we went gipsying,' capitally played upon a key bugle. 

 Should a mail come late, the tune from a passing one 

 would be ' Oh dear ! what can the matter be ? ' This 

 key bugle was no part of the mail equipment, but was, 

 nevertheless, frequently used. 



Heading the procession was the oldest established 

 mail, which would be the Bristol. On the King's birth- 

 day, 1834, there were twenty-seven coaches in the pro- 

 cession. They all wore hammer-cloths, and both guard 

 and coachman were in new red liveries, the latter being 

 furnished by the mail contractor. They wore beaver 

 hats with gold lace and cockades. Such a thing as a 

 low billycock hat was not to be seen on any coach, or 

 anywhere. Sherman's mails were drawn by black horses, 

 and on these occasions their harness was of red morocco. 



The coaches were new each year. In these days 

 brass mountings were rarely known, plated or silver only 

 were in use. On the starting of the procession the bells 

 of the neighbouring churches rang out merrily, continuing 

 their rejoicing peals till it arrived at the General Post 

 Office. Many country squires, who were always anxious 

 that their best horses should have a few turns in the 

 mail coaches in travelling, sent up their horses to figure 

 in the procession. 



From Millbank the procession passed by St. James's 

 Palace, at the windows of which, above the porch, stood 

 Kins William and his Oueen. The Duke of Richmond 



