ock."

On August 18, 1823, the state of the roads comes under review:--"Mail
men, who have to drive rapidly over long distances, must ever be on the
look-out for the state in which the roads are kept.

"In December, 1819, Mr. Johnson, Superintendent of Mail Coaches, had to
report to the House of Commons on the 'petition of Mr. McAdam,' who was
engaged in constructing and repairing of the public roads.

"Previous to this the roads were very bad in most country places, except
the mail coach roads, built at the time the Romans came to England.

"McAdam's expenses up to 1814 amounted to L5,019 6s., actually expended
by him up to August, 1814, and he had travelled 30,000 miles in 1,920
days.

"He held the position of general surveyor of the Bristol turnpike roads,
at a salary, first year L400, and each subsequent year of L500, but,
taking into account that the annual salary was L200 for expenses
'incident' to the office, the remaining L300 was not more than adequate
payment for the constant and laborious duties attached to the
situation."

Under date of November 8, 1823, there is a list of Royal mails and
post-coaches despatched from and arriving at the Bush Tavern, Corn
Street, Bristol:--"London, daily, 4.0 p.m.; and at reduced fares by the
'Regent' at 9.0 p.m.; Milford and Waterford, via Cardiff and Swansea,
10.30 a.m. daily; Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, every evening at
7.0; Oxford, daily, at 7.0 a.m.; Portsmouth and Southampton, every
afternoon, at 4.0; Plymouth and Exeter, every morning, at 8; Birmingham,
Manchester and Liverpool, daily, at 6.0 a.m.; Portsmouth and
Southampton, by the 'Rocket,' at 7.0 a.m.; Gloster, Birmingham,
Liverpool, Manchester, and Holyhead leaves Bristol each day at 7.0 a.m."

On July 1, 1826, the "Hero" coach is quoted as performing the journey
from Bristol to Birmingham in twelve hours.

[Illustration: [_From "Stage Coach and Mail." By permission of Mr. C.G.
Harper._

HOW THE MAILS WERE CONVEYED TO BRISTOL IN THE DAYS OF KING GEORGE THE
FOURTH.]

On January 21, 1826:--"From Wood's Office, Bell Yard, Thomas Street,
Bristol. Coaches. The 'London Shamrock,' light post-coach, five o'clock
every evening; arrives in London at half-past seven next morning. Runs
to the Spread Eagle Inn, Gracechurch Street, and Bull Inn, Aldgate.

"'London Chronometer.' Cheap coach. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,
twelve o'clock. Fare: inside, 21s.; outside, 10s. 6d. Runs to Gerrard's
Hall, Basing