STAGE-COACHES 21 



written by a traveller named Edward Parker in 1663, 

 which recounts his harrowing expeiiences, and his 

 determination never to go in a coach again if he can 

 help it: 



"Honoured Father, 



"M7 dutie promised etc. I got to London on 

 Saturday last, my journie was noe ways pleasant, being 

 forced to ride in the boote all the waye, ye company up 

 with mee were persons of great quality, as knights and 

 ladyes. My journeys expense was 30s. This travail hath 

 soe indisposed mee, that I am resolved never to ride up 

 again in ye coatch. I am extremely hott and feverish, 

 what this may tend to I know not. I have not yet advised 

 with any doctor."^ 



It is probable that Edward Parker's sufferings were by 

 no means unique, and that after one experience of the 

 manifold discomforts of the stage-coach men preferred 

 to return once more to the use of their saddle-horses. 

 There was also the motive of economy in this method of 

 progression, for horses purchased cheaply in the pro- 

 vinces could be sold at a profit when the rider reached 

 London, an advantage which the canny Scots in partic- 

 ular are said to have keenly appreciated. 



The earliest stage-coaches were fearful and wonderful 

 to behold, for they were the last word in heaviness and 

 clumsiness. The body was built to carry six or eight 

 persons, who, though they had every reason to be thank- 

 ful in that they had a roof over their heads, had to put 

 up with leather shutters in lieu of windows, for it was 



^ Archeslogiaj XX. 



