114 Bath in its relation to Science. 



London Technological School of Coach Builders, which 

 aids in maintaining the superiority of Bath in this respect. 

 The wheel-chairs made here have long been sent to all parts 

 of the kingdom. Mail coaches were a feature of the Bath 

 plans for the more expeditious carriage and delivery of 

 letters. The Cross Posts, established by Ralph Allen, were 

 worked chiefly by wretched men and boys on miserable 

 hacks. At length, in 1784, John Palmer caused a great 

 reform, suggested at first by a practical inconvenience of 

 another kind. He was proprietor and manager of the 

 Bath Theatre, and often found his actors delayed- and his 

 audiences disappointed in consequence of the slowness of 

 traveUing. Having conceived the plan of mail coaches, he 

 obtained the aid of Mr. Pitt in carrying it out. Great was 

 the joy of the Bath people on seeing the first arrival of the 

 coach originating with their townsman, the journey having 

 occupied fourteen hours instead of three days. And rightly 

 did all classes honour both Allen and Palmer, remembering 

 what is due to men 



" Who by new arts life's uses have improved, 

 And for good deeds are honoured and belored." 



Science. 



It would not have been strange if a city noted for amuse- 

 ments had failed to cultivate science. And certainly those 

 who have been remarkable for doing so in Bath in any age 

 have been comparatively few. But they stand out nobly ; 

 they did good work in their day ; they were pioneers of a 

 great educational movement, and connected the city of the 

 springs with discoveries of no common importance. Thus 

 much may be said as to modern times ; going back we only 



