THE HORSEMEN 23 



was the " travelling post " allowed to decay. The 

 growing niimher and increasing convenience of 

 the coaches, too, helped to make the monopoly less 

 valnahle, for Avlien travellers could he conveyed 

 Avithout exertion by coach at from twopence to 

 threepence a mile, they were not likely to pay 

 threepence a mile and a guide's groat at every 

 ten miles for the privilege of humping in the 

 saddle all day long. Those who mostly continued 

 in the saddle Avere the gentlemen who OAvned 

 horses of their OAvn, or those others to Avhom the 

 chance company of a coach Avas objectionable. 



The Post Office monopoly in post-horses Avas, 

 accordingly, not Avorth preserving Avlien it Avas 

 abolished by the Act of 1780. From that time 

 the Postmasters-General ceased to have anything 

 to do Avitli horse-hire, and anything lost by their 

 relinquishing it Avas amply returned to the State 

 by the ncAV license duties levied upon horse-keepers 

 or postmasters, and coaches. A penny a mile Avas 

 fixed as the Government duty upon horses let out 

 for hire, AA^iether saddle-horses or to be used in 

 post-chaises. All persons Avho made that a business 

 — generally, of course, innkeepers — Avere to take 

 out an annual five-shilling license, and were under 

 obligation to paint in some conspicuous place on 

 their houses " Licensed to let Post-Horses." In 

 default of so doing the penalty was £5. As a 

 check upon the business done, travellers hiring 

 j^ost-horses Avere to be given a ticket, on Avhich the 

 number of horses so hired, and the distance, Avere 

 to be specified. These tickets Avere to be delivered 



