THE HORSEMEN I9 



hoiiso of Mr. Thomas Clialloncr, postmaster at 

 Stone in Staffordshire, upon every Tuesday, 

 Thursday, and Saturday mornings, to go to 

 London ; and so likewise at all the several post- 

 masters upon the road, who will have such set 

 days, so many horses, with furniture, in readiness 

 to furnish the riders, without any stay, to carry 

 them to and from any of the places aforesaid in 

 four days, as well to London as from thence, and 

 to places nearer in less time, according as their 

 occasions shall require, they engaging, at the first 

 stage where they take horse, for the safe delivery 

 of the same to the next immediate stage, and not 

 to ride that horse any farther without consent of 

 the postmaster, hy whom he rides, and so from 

 stage to stage to their journey's end. All those 

 who intend to ride this way are desired to give a 

 little notice heforehand, if conveniently they can, 

 to the several postmasters where they first take 

 horse, wherehy they may be furnished with as 

 many horses as the riders shall require, with 

 expedition. This undertaking began the 28th of 

 June 1658, at all the places aforesaid, and so 

 continues by the several postmasters." 



The Chester Koad — the road to Ireland — was 

 of great moment at that age. Indeed, it had 

 been of importance for centuries past. It was in 

 a lonely holloAV near Plint, on his landing from 

 Ireland, that Ilichard II. was waylaid in 

 1399 by Henry Bolingbroke, and his progress to 

 London barred ; and from Chester as well as from 

 Milford Haven English expeditions were wont to 



