6 POST-HORSE DUTY 



apparently of a kindly disposition, his spirits were 

 always good, and he was ready to enjoy a joke, though 

 at his ovm. expense. As a proof of this I must mention, 

 that among his multitudinous affairs — for he dabbled 

 in anything Avhere there was a chance of gain — he was a 

 contractor, or farmer, of the Post-horse Duty, a part of 

 revenue arising from and paid by those who were 

 licensed to let horses for hire, which duty was put up to 

 public tender by the Commissioners at Somerset House 

 every third year, — England and Wales being divided into 

 districts, — each district containing six or seven counties 

 — Scotland being a district of itself. 



In this admirable school he had received his education, 

 and had been early initiated in all tlie art that was 

 frequently resorted to for the greater, though no doubt, 

 fair remuneration of the lessees. Now, to the shrewdness 

 of intellect — or, perhaps, sharpness might be the proper 

 term — necessary for the members of this unique frater- 

 nity, the acquirements of the betting-ring or the stock- 

 exchange were as nothing. Such practice might be 

 styled the acme of human ingenuity, as exhibited within 

 the pale of the law. 



My friend from Birmingham had already established 

 his fame as a princi2:)al member of this community, by 

 imparting something to the Commissioners, by which 

 they could contrive to screw a little more out of the 

 pockets of the innkeepers, and thereby very much 

 increase the revenue ; for this they had rewarded him 

 with a present of £1,000. 



The gift had created some jealousy on the part of his 

 compeers ; but a good understanding seemed to j^i'evail 



