300 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



while the tyiDical parson Avoiikl go by the "Regu- 

 lator," the " Reliance," or, best of all, if opportunity 

 offered, by the " Good Intent." 



It is curious to note in how arljitrary a geo- 

 graphical manner these names were distriljuted. 

 It is no use seeking a " Highflyer " in the 

 history of the Erighton Road. " Highflyers " 

 were Yorkshire products, and almost exclusively 

 confined to the Great North Road and its 

 aflluents. There, indeed, they were numerous. 

 The old original of the name was started in 

 1788, and kej^t the road between London and 

 Edinburgh until 18f0. There Avere at least 

 six others. 



" Telegrapli " coaches, however, were not 

 peculiar to any one road or district. Introduced 

 about 1781 on the Leeds and Newcastle road, 

 there were two others in Yorkshire, and in 1805 

 and 1811 "New Telegraph" and "Telegraph" 

 coaches were on the Brighton Road. In the 

 'twenties a " Southampton Telegrajih," a " Man- 

 chester Telegrajih," and a " Reading Telegraph " 

 flourished ; while beyond all others in their 

 fame and exploits were the immortal " Exeter 

 Telegraph," started in 1826 l)y Mrs. Ann Nelson, 

 of the " Bull," Aldgate, to travel the 173 miles 

 between Piccadilly and Exeter in 17 hours, 

 and the "Manchester Telegraph" day coach of 

 1833, doing 186 miles in 18 hours. Before the 

 advance of the Great Western Railway brought 

 the "Exeter Telegraph" off the road, it had 

 cut down the length of the journey by three 

 hours, Coaches rejoicing in this name^a 



