PIKES AND MILESTONES. 85 



of the post-horse duties could save him and men 

 situated like himself, and enable them to increase 

 their business on the road ; then, gentlemen would 

 travel from the north more frequently, and perhaps 

 at times of the year when business in general was 

 very dead, so that they would have an opportunity 

 to compete with the steamers, and a certain number 

 of customers might travel by road perhaps three 

 times a year instead of once or twice. 



I have given a somewhat detailed account of Mr. 

 Warsop's position with regard to posting and coach- 

 ing, as his inn stood just where two or three different 

 roads to London met, in about as good a locality as 

 could well be selected for a business like his. 



For the information and benefit of travellers either 

 passing by or stopping at his inn, it happened that 

 a stone pillar stood near, much larger than the 

 ordinary milestone ; and as it contained full directions, 

 I think that I cannot do better than give a copy of 

 all that was inscribed on it : 



To London 68 miles, through Buckden, Biggleswade, and Hatfield. 

 To Buckden 7 miles. 



„ Stilton- - 7 „ 



To London 64 miles, through Huntingdon, Eoyston, and Ware. 

 To Huntingdon - 5 miles. 



To London 72 miles, through Cambridge. 

 To Cambridge - 21 miles. 

 „ Stilton- 7 ,, 



