viii RECORDS OF OLD TIMES 



of middle class life of one who, in the course of 

 a busy career, had met many famous people, and 

 truthfully recorded what he remembers about them.' 

 In the present volume I have somewhat enlarged 

 on the subject, by adding interesting facts of past 

 history, more especially the history of my native 

 county and the old town of Aylesbury, where I was 

 born, and where I lived for more than sixty years. 

 This is a long period to recall, but being possessed 

 of a vivid memory, it has not been difficult for me 

 to relate circumstances but little known to the 

 present generation, many of which, I may venture 

 to say, are calculated to be of use and guidance in 

 the future. My records of Turnpike gates and 

 their keepers ; Posting and Post-horses, with a 

 description of the ' post-horse duty,' and how that 

 vexatious impost was raised and collected ; of 

 old inns and coaching, with the rise of the present 

 so-called hotels and the huge caravanserais which 

 are now prevalent in our great Metropolis, as well 

 as in our seaside resorts and great manufacturing 

 towns ; the development of modern systems of 

 agriculture, and of agricultural exhibitions, abroad 

 and at home ; of Steeple-chasing and other sports, 

 with early Parliamentary and social records, comprise 



