196 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



"Waterlioiiso, avIio had l)een established there as 

 a mail-contractor since 1792. He it Avas who, 

 perhaps in imitation oi the Mail-coach Halfpenny 

 dedicated to Palmer, issued the curious copper 

 token pictured here. It is quite in accord with 

 the general fragmentary character of the records 

 of these not so remote times that nothing survives 

 l)y Avhich we may state the year when Chaplin 

 succeeded AVaterhouse at the " Swan a\ ith Two 

 Necks," hut it was prohahly about 1S25. In 

 addition to this yard, he acquired in the course 



MAIL-COACH HALFPENNY ISSUED BY WILLIAM 

 WATEUHOUSE. 



of time those of the " White Horse," Eetter Lane, 

 and the " Spread Eagle " and " Cross Keys," 

 Gracecliurch Street, together Avitli the " Spread 

 Eagle " West End office, in Ilegent's Circus, with 

 the proprietorship of several hotels. Unlike most 

 coach-proprietors, who restricted their operations 

 to one or two roads, Chaplin's coaches went in 

 all directions, and he owned large stables at 

 Tnrley on the Brighton Road, at Hounslow on 

 the Western roads, and at AVhetstone on the 

 great road to the north. The "Swan_Avith Two 



