THE OLD COACHING ROADS. 6i 



Eecurring to the time a journey from Scotland to 

 London used to occupy, the directions issued by a 

 large hotel proprietor for the benefit of his patrons 

 may not be out of place. In addition to the towns 

 to be passed through, together with the names of the 

 inns, innkeepers, and distances from place to place, 

 which I give below, he informed the * nobility, 

 commercial gentlemen and the public' that he had 

 constantly on hand ' an extensive stock of the finest 

 old wines, spirits, etc., etc' Last, but not least, 

 he further informed them that there were ' excellent 

 stables and coach-houses' attached to his establish- 

 ment, with ' handsome post-chaises with dickies, 

 superior horses, and careful drivers.' What the 

 ' handsome post-chaises with dickies ' were like I 

 don't quite know ; they certainly must have been 

 a departure from the orthodox English old post-chaise, 

 which had no sort of convenience at the back, either 

 for the conveyance of luggage or passengers ; indeed, 

 there were sometimes rows of spikes across the hind 

 axle, so that no boys or casual foot-passengers along the 

 road could jump up behind and sit on it. The dickies 

 referred to probably corresponded with what used to 

 be called ' the rumble,' and were seats at the back of 

 gentlemen's private travelling-carriages, intended for 

 the conveyance of James and Mary Ann, who travelled 

 with their master and mistress — the occupants of the, 



