t North road,
between Barnby Moor and Tuxford, and actually lost his way between
Doncaster and York. [133] Pepys and his wife, travelling in their own
coach, lost their way between Newbury and Reading. In the course of
the same tour they lost their way near Salisbury, and were in danger of
having to pass the night on the plain. [134] It was only in fine weather
that the whole breadth of the road was available for wheeled vehicles.
Often the mud lay deep on the right and the left; and only a narrow
track of firm ground rose above the quagmire. [135] At such times
obstructions and quarrels were frequent, and the path was sometimes
blocked up during a long time by carriers, neither of whom would break
the way. It happened, almost every day, that coaches stuck fast, until
a team of cattle could be procured from some neighbouring farm, to
tug them out of the slough. But in bad seasons the traveller had to
encounter inconveniences still more serious. Thoresby, who was in the
habit of travelling between Leeds and the capital, has recorded, in
his Diary, such a series of perils and disasters as might suffice for a
journey to the Frozen Ocean or to the Desert of Sahara. On one occasion
he learned that the floods were out between Ware and London, that
passengers had to swim for their lives, and that a higgler had perished
in the attempt to cross. In consequence of these tidings he turned out
of the high road, and was conducted across some meadows, where it was
necessary for him to ride to the saddle skirts in water. [136] In the
course of another journey he narrowly escaped being swept away by an
inundation of the Trent. He was afterwards detained at Stamford four
days, on account of the state of the roads, and then ventured to proceed
only because fourteen members of the House of Commons, who were going
up in a body to Parliament with guides and numerous attendants, took him
into their company. [137] On the roads of Derbyshire, travellers were in
constant fear for their necks, and were frequently compelled to alight
and lead their beasts. [138] The great route through Wales to Holyhead
was in such a state that, in 1685, a viceroy, going to Ireland, was five
hours in travelling fourteen miles, from Saint Asaph to Conway. Between
Conway and Beaumaris he was forced to walk a great part of the way; and
his lady was carried in a litter. His coach was, with much difficulty,
and by the help of many hands, brought after him entire. In gen