252 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



exploded with the roar of a cannon, and some of 

 its slns^s generally Avhistled unpleasantly past the 

 ears of the outsides or pierced their tall heaver 

 hats. The guard, in fact, was a person to he 

 shunned when he took his hlunderl)uss in hand, 

 either for practice or examination ; for it was not 

 only dangerous as a gun, l)ut was furnished with 

 a hayonet which, folding hack on a hinge against 

 the harrel, Avas released hy touching a powerful 

 spring. How many j)6i'sons were accidentally 

 slain or mutilated hy the guards' awkward hand- 

 ling of this infernal contrivance we shall never 

 know. 



It was not, however, until 1811 that anything 

 was done to stop this indiscriminate shooting on 

 the part of the guards ; hut in that year an Act of 

 Parliament came into existence which forhade the 

 firing of their hlunderhusses except for defence, 

 and instituting a penalty of £5 for l)reaking this 

 new law. 



Meanwhile the j^o^ition of mail-guard liad 

 hecome a dignified and desiraljle one, often ohtained 

 through Parliamentary and other influence brought 

 to hear upon the Postmasters-General. Here, for 

 example, is a copy of a letter of recommendation, 

 unfortunately undated, but showing the methods 

 in vogue : — 



" To their Lordshijis 



" the Postmasters-General. 



" My Lords, — 



" The hearer of this, John Peters, is very 

 well known at the General Post Ofilce, and is 



