[ 28l ] 



CHAPTEK XVI. 



TELEGRAPHS ON THE TRACK. 



When statutory authority enabled the Postmaster 

 to acquke, construct, and work telegraphs, the atten- 

 tion of the Post-Office was naturally directed to the 

 highroads. Where the mail-coach had run, the 

 postal telegraph might follow. To the erection of 

 posts and wires on cross-roads and country lanes 

 there could surely be no objection. 



But the proof of the pudding lay in the eating. 

 Strong o]3position sprang up, and it needed all the 

 address of the department to obtain the consent of 

 road trustees and parish boards to the execution of 

 needful works. 



In later years, when I had advised the construction 

 of a new line of telegraph much required, and since 

 put up, from London to Hull, along the old coach- 

 road by Hadley Highstone and Alconbury Hill, I 

 found its most vehement opponent — in his capacity of 

 churchwarden — in mine own familiar friend. 



On some occasions the tact and persuasive powers 

 of the late Mr. Edmund Yates were turned to good 



