132 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



horsekeeper, between London and Exeter, is introduced by 

 name and character. I fancy I see you smile ; neither can 

 I avoid doing so myself at the recollection of such absur- 

 dity ; but there is no harm in it, after all ; au contrairc, 

 they say, good will be the result. If so,floreat Auriga." 



" Well, Frank," observed the uncle, " I know not 

 whether I am not myself of the same opinion with your 

 father. We have to thank an amateur of ' the ribbons,' 

 as you call amateur coachmen, for the present improved 

 mode of conveying our mails. I allude to Mr. Palmer, 

 who suggested that they should be carried by coaches, 

 drawn by four horses, contracted for by Government, and 

 guarded, instead of in the old mode by a boy on horse- 

 back ; and his plan was carried into effect in 1784. He 

 assured ministers that Government would be put to a 

 very little additional expense, inasmuch as the coach 

 proprietors would have a strong inducement to contract 

 for conveying the mails at a cheap rate, on account of 

 the additional recommendation to passengers their coaches 

 would thereby acquire, in point of security, regularity, 

 and despatch. Strange to say, however, although Govern- 

 ment approved of this plan, and the public in general 

 were satisfied of its utility, yet, like all new schemes, 

 however beneficial they may promise to be, it met with a 

 strong opposition in some quarters. It was represented 

 by a number of the oldest and ablest officers and clerks 

 in the post-office, not only as impracticable, but dangerous. 

 Notwithstanding this opposition, powerful as we may 

 suppose it to have been, it was at length established, and 

 gradually extended to different parts of the kingdom, 

 chiefly by the exertions of country gentlemen, who took 

 an interest in the coaches which were running on the 

 various roads in their neighbourhood. It soon appeared 

 that not only was the revenue improved by the intro- 

 duction of this system, but that a prodigious saving of 

 time was the effect of it. For example : previously to 

 the extension of it to Scotland, the mails were eighty-two 

 hours on the road from London to Edinburgh, and eighty- 

 five from Edinburgh to London ; and, subsequently, the 

 time has been shortened to sixty-two in each case." l 



" I am happy to hear this account from you," observed 

 the nephew, " and I will retail it to Sir John when I see 

 him ; but will you have the kindness to inform me when 

 1 It has since been reduced to forty-four hours. 



