114 ON THE TRACK OF THE MAIL-COACH 



and the latter registered tonnage), brought mails 

 and the British Ambassador from New York to 

 Southampton. This arrival may be accounted the 

 first-fruit of that active competition which is de- 

 signed to place the Hampshire port (by the way, 

 there is legally no such county) in the fore-front of 

 British harbours, and utilize to the full the ' longest 

 graving-dock in the world.' 



No wonder that the Town Council of Southampton 

 desire to express a grateful appreciation of the services 

 rendered to the port by the London and South- 

 western Eailway Company ; and to confer, in proof of 

 their sentiments, the honorary freedom of the borough 

 on Mr. W. S. Portal, the Company's Chairman. 



