COLLECTION OF POST-HORSE DUTY 27 



the proprietor of the inn made out the ticket, as it 

 was called, a number of which were strung up in the 

 bar. They were supplied by the Government, and 

 bore the royal arms. They were in blank for the 

 date — the place from which the horses started — the 

 place of destination — the number of miles, and at the 

 foot the name of the driver was inserted. These 

 tickets were printed on stiff paper, about the size of 

 a modern postcard. The blanks were filled in and 

 the ticket given to the post-boy when he had mounted 

 the saddle, a heavy fine being inflicted on the post- 

 master if he neglected this part of his duty. At the 

 first turnpike gate through which the carriage 

 passed, the boy was bound to deliver the ticket, at 

 the risk of another heavy fine. It would sometimes 

 happen that the delivery was omitted, but the post- 

 boy could, of course, remedy the omission on his 

 return. If, however, the gatekeeper was can- 

 tankerous, he might refuse the ticket, and thereupon 

 a heavy fine was incurred. Each morning the post- 

 master was bound to fill up the official duty sheet, 

 with every hiring of the previous day, showing the 

 number of miles and the amount payable. This 

 was a great nuisance, and if any error, however 

 trifling, occurred, a fine of double duty would be 

 inflicted. 



England and Scotland were divided into districts 

 comprising three or four counties, which were let, or 

 farmed, out to different contractors, who were called 

 ' Post-horse Farmers.' Messrs. Levi and others of 

 the Hebrew race were generally the farmers who 



