CH. XIII POSTING IN FRANCE 28 1 



charge was the same whether a carriage was fur- 

 nished or not. 



On frequented roads, some one was usually on 

 the watch for carriages approaching the post house, 

 and since one or two pairs always stood ready har- 

 nessed, a change was rapidly effected. The speed 

 was frequently ten miles an hour, but depended, 

 naturally, upon the hurry of the passenger and his 

 liberality to the post boys. 



On the Continent, in France for instance, the 

 whole system was under the control of the Govern- 

 ment, and a book, Livrc de Poste, giving a map of 

 all the routes, distances, charges, and general regu- 

 lations, was published annually by the Government 

 Printing Office. The right to furnish horses to 

 travellers by relays was restricted to those persons 

 {maitres de poste) commissioned by the Govern- 

 ment. 



The charge for each horse was 2 francs per 

 10 kilometres, equal to about 3% pence per mile 

 {6*4 cents). One franc per 10 kilometres was estab- 

 lished by law as the fee for each postilion, but the 

 custom obtained, and was recognised by the author- 

 ities, of giving twice that amount, or the same as 

 for each horse, 31^ pence per mile. 



Somewhat elaborate regulations were contained 

 in the book as to the number of horses required 

 for certain sizes of carriages, an d the number of 

 passengers was also taken into account. 



