HO]V THE COACHES WERE NAMED 287 



springs," of 1754, Avas cloiil^tless only a somewhat 

 neater example of a stag-e-coach than many then 

 in use on that route. 



The next development was the " Diligence," 

 conveying only three passengers and going at 

 the express rate necessary to cover the distance 

 between Shrewsbury and London in one day. 

 It Avent three times a week, and charged some 

 four shillings less than the " Flying Machine." 

 Uivalries on this road had by this time quite 

 outgrown custom. In 1776 there were three 

 distinct coaches between Shrewsbury and London, 

 but they could not all pay their expenses, and 

 so were gradually taken off altogether, or ran 

 less frequently. The " Diligence," Avhich more 

 than any other had forced the pace, Avas itself 

 discontinued. 



" Diligence " had noAV become a very popular 

 name for fast coaches, as speed Avas understood in 

 those times. It derived from across the Channel, 

 Avhere conveyances known by this title had 

 already supplemented the ordinary sloAV-going 

 stage-coaches, called carrosses; but the importation 

 of the word into this country in connection with 

 stage-coaching was absolutely inexcusable, for 

 already our " Post Coaches " and " Light Post 

 Coaches " had begun to give the travelling public 

 an idea of quick transit. 



The English " Diligence," as originally built 

 and run upon the roads, Avas nothing more nor 

 less than a light coach, to hold three inside 

 passengers only, facing in the direction the 



