466 THE COACHING AGE. 



needless, perhaps, to state that the magistrates in the 

 discharge of their judicial duty could not adopt this 

 gentleman's view of his position. 



With regard to the turnpike roads, we have seen 

 what was done for them by such men as McAdam 

 and Telford, and how their scientific knowledge and 

 labours so much improved them that fast travelling 

 could take place along them, and the days of fast 

 coaches commenced — a thing totally impracticable 

 previously. t 



Their reign was not very long, as the iron road 

 came into use with rapid strides, and in a very 

 summary manner abolished traffic along the high- 

 ways, and reduced them to such a condition 

 for want of funds arising from tolls, that, as I have 

 mentionecl, the plan of throwing the maintenance of 

 them on the parishes was resorted to, with a con- 

 tribution from' the Consolidated Fund towards the 

 expenses. 



I have endeavoured to give some sketches of the 

 principal men connected with the business of tra,vel- 

 ling, such as coach-proprietors and innkeepers, and 

 the mode in which their business was carried on, 

 and also to make some mention of other indispens- 

 able persons, such as their coachmen and guards. 



Most of the persons and things of which I have 

 treated have ceased to exist, as: The mail-pro- 



