set off for the first
time from Bristol on Monday last, at 4 o'clock, and from Bath at 5.20
p.m. From London it set out at 8 o'clock in the evening, and was in Bath
by 9 o'clock the next morning.

"The excellent steps taken to carry out this undertaking leave no doubt
of its succeeding, to the great advantage and pleasure to the publick.
The mail from this city is made up at 5 o'clock." This grand achievement
of Palmer's was signalised by the following lines:--

"A safe and quick method is found to convey
Our bills of exchange, and I promise to pay.
Political news from all parts of the town,
The Senate, the play, and each place of renown.
New pamphlets and schemes, or the prices of stocks,
That trafficks in ports, and escaped from the rocks.
At Bristol Hotwells or the New Rooms at Bath
Arrived Mr. Fancy and Lady Hogarth,
Who looked so enchanting last week at the races,
And _nemine contra_ pronounced by the graces.
Effusions of friendship or letters of love--
All beautiful, candid, as true as a dove.
_J'espere, ma chere ami, qui ce bien avec vous,_
And friendly whip syllabub chat _entre nous_.
The merchant, the lover, the friend, and the sage
Will daily applaud Mr. Palmer's New Stage."

No sooner was success apparent than troubles commenced, as may be
gathered from the following paragraph, dated September 9, 1784:--"Bath.
We hear that the contractors for carrying the mail to and from this city
and London have received the most positive orders to direct their
coachmen: on no account whatever to try their speed against other
carriages that may be set up in opposition to them, nor to suffer them
to discharge firearms in passing through any towns, or on the road,
except they are attacked."

"They have generally performed their duty with great care and
punctuality, within an hour of the contracted time and perfectly to the
satisfaction of the Government and the publick, and this before any
opposition was commenced against them, and when it was thought
impossible to effect it in sixteen hours instead of fifteen hours. Their
steady line of conduct will be their best recommendation to this city,
which, much to its honour, has supported them with great spirit.
Attempts by other drivers of other coaches, or any other persons
whatsoever, to impede the mail diligence on its journey will be
certainly attended with the most serious prosecutions to the parties so