MAIL-COACHES 35 



upon the road between London and Bristol, to com- 

 mence at each place on Monday the 2nd." 



The first trial was watched with anxiety by Pitt and 

 Palmer, eager for its success, and by the Post Office, 

 praying for its utter and humiliating annihilation. In 

 this generous hope they were disappointed, for the under- 

 taking prospered instantly. It is generally supposed that 

 no records exist giving particulars of this first mail- 

 coach, but the following notices appeared in the Oxford 

 Journal during August 1784: 



"The new mail diligence set off from Bristol on Mon- 

 day last for the first time at four o'clock, and from the 

 Three Tuns in this city (Bath) at twenty minutes after 

 five the same evening. From London it set out at eight 

 on Monday evening and was in Bath the next morning. 

 The excellent steps taken to carry out this undertaking 

 leave not the least room to doubt of its succeeding to 

 the great pleasure and advantage of the public." 



A week later was recorded the complete success of the 

 venture which had fulfilled the most sanguine hopes 

 entertained of it: 



"The new mail-coach has travelled with an expedi- 

 tion that has been really astonishing, having seldom 

 exceeded thirteen hours in going or returning from 

 London. It is made very light, carries four passengers 

 and runs with a pair of horses, which are changed every 

 six or eight miles; and as the bags at the different 

 offices on the road are made up against its arrival there 

 is not the least delay. The guard rides with the coach- 

 man on the box, and the mail is deposited in the Boot," 



