offending.

"We are desired by the old proprietors of the Bath coaches to insert the
following:--

"'Last Sunday evening, as the coachman of the mail diligence was driving
furiously down Kennet Hill, between Calne and Marlborough, in order to
overtake the two guard coaches, the coach was suddenly thrown against
the bank, by which means a lady was much hurt, as was also the driver.
The lady was taken out and safely conveyed in one of the guard coaches
to Marlborough.'

"We are informed:--The proprietors of the two coaches, with a guard to
each, which travel from Bristol to London in fifteen hours have
instructed their servants not to fire their arms wantonly, but to be
particularly vigilant in case of attack. The proprietors of these
coaches are determined to have the passengers and property protected and
for the safety of both have ordered their coachmen to keep together
to make assurance doubly sure."

[Illustration: [_By permission of S.W. Partridge & Co., Paternoster Row,
London._

ANTHONY TODD.]

September 16, 1784:--"Our mail diligence still continues its course with
the same steadiness and punctuality. Yesterday its coachman and guard
made their first appearance in Royal livery, and cut a most superior
figure. It is certainly very proper that the Government carriages should
be thus distinguished; such a mark of His Majesty's approbation does the
contractors great honour, and it is with much pleasure we see so great a
change in the conveyance of our mail--not only in its speed and safety,
but in its present respectable appearance, from an old cart and a ragged
boy."

December 16, 1784:--"A writer, under the signature of 'An Enemy to
Schemers,' having published in the _Gazette_ several letters against the
new mode of conveying the mail, another writer, under the signature of
'Lash,' has in a masterly manner replied to all his arguments in that
paper of Monday, and has severely censured the conduct of Mr. Todd of
the Post Office."

December 16, 1784:--"Dear Sir,--I have just received some newspapers
from a friend in Bath containing an abusive letter against my post
plan, and two answers to it under the signature of 'Lash.' I rather
think that the latter may be yours, and think myself much obliged to you
for the warmth with which you have taken the matter up, but could wish
you would take no further notice of it. The letter, if I recollect
right, merely contains the refuse of the observations, sent from the