2o8 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



the continuance of tlie old order of thini^s, and it 

 would not have been remarkahle had he brought 

 himself to the illogical conclusion that, because he 

 was so interested, the old order must, could, should 

 and would be maintained. Many other coach- 

 proprietors did arrive at such a conclusion, not, 

 of course, by process of reasoning, but by force of 

 being habitually engaged in a business that pre- 

 judiced their minds against steam and machinery. 

 Their first instincts of scorn for anything that 

 should j)resunie to replace the horse effectually 

 blinded them to the reality of tlie coming change. 

 Chaplin early decided that coaches must go, 

 and that the proper policy was to make allies of 

 the railways in early days, while they Avere not 

 so sure of their own success, and would be sub- 

 stantially grateful for any helping hand, lie and 

 Benjamin Worthy Ilornc agreed with the London 

 and Eirmingham to be their very good friends in 

 this matter, and not only withdrew all competitive 

 coaches as the line advanced towards completion, 

 but aided the railway in those jnonths when a gap 

 in the line between Denbigh Hall and Hugl)y cut 

 tin; train journey in two. Eetwcen those two 

 points their coaches filled the uuAVontedly huml)le 

 position of feeders and go-betAveens to the railway. 

 Tlie })rice of this amiable attitude was a share Avith 

 Pickford & Co. in the goods and parcel cartage 

 agency for the line, to the exclusion of all others. 

 This monopoly, as Chaplin had fores(Mm, Avas an 

 initially Aaluable one, and certain to constantly 

 increase, side by side AvitJi the groAving trade and 



