ROBBERY AND ADVENTURE 147 



Avas broken by a burglary at tbe " Bull and 

 Mouth" coach-office, at 3 o'clock one morning, 

 when 47 parcels, chiefly containing plate and 

 watches, Avere stolen. The l)ooty was valued at 

 £500. The thieves carried the parcels away 

 in a cart, and left behind them a lighted candle, 

 which would have burned the place down had 

 it not been discovered in time l)y a coachman. 



This was followed in May 1766 by an incident 

 standins^ out in highlv humorous relief. The 

 Public Adijertiser in that month announced: — 

 "A few nights ago, among the passengers that 

 were going in the stage from Bath to London, 

 Avere two supposed females that had taken outside 

 places. As they Avere climbing to their seats it 

 Avas observed that one of them had men's shoes 

 and stockings on, and upon further search. 

 Breeches Avere discovered also : this consequently 

 alarming the company, the person thus disguised 

 AA^as taken into custody and locked up for the 

 night. The next day he Avas brought before a 

 magistrate, and upon a strict examination into 

 matters, it appeared that he Avas a respectable 

 tradesman Avho, having cash and bills to a large 

 amount on him, thus disguised himself to escape 

 the too urgent notice of the 'Travelling Col- 

 lectors.' " 



Turnpike Trusts at this time encouraged 

 Sabbatarian feeling by charging double on 

 Sundays; but "knowing" travellers sometimes 

 travelled on that day, and submitted to that 

 imposition as the cheaper of tAA^o evils. The one 



