posts on the opposite sides of the road, and the
collector sat, _sub dio_, at his seat of customs. It was long however
before the advantages of this plan were acknowledged by the people.
Riots, resembling the Rebecca riots, were of frequent occurrence in the
less-frequented counties: the road-surveyor was as odious as the
collector of the chimney-tax; the toll-bar was seen blazing at night; its
guardian deemed himself fortunate to escape with a few kicks; and it was
not until a much later day that a public or private coach could trundle
along the roads without encountering deep and dislocating ruts, or
rocking over a surface of unbroken stones. Frost and rain were more
effective than the duly appointed surveyor in breaking up these rude
materials, and reducing the surface to something resembling a level.

A few years since some of the most strenuous opponents of railways were
to be found among the squirearchy. "Why," argued these rural magnates,
"should our woods be levelled and our corn-lands bisected, our game
scared away and our parks disfigured by noise and smoke, to suit the
convenience of the dingy denizens of Manchester, or the purse-proud
merchants of Liverpool?" Similar arguments were urged not more than a
century ago against the formation of new turnpike roads. The bittern, it
was said, would be driven from his pool, the fox from his earth, the wild
fowl would be frightened away from the marshes, and many a fine haunch of
venison would be sent to London markets without the proper ceremonies of
turning off and running down the buck. Merrie England could not exist
without miry roads. In 1760 there was no turnpike road between the port
of Lynn and the great corn and cattle market at Norwich. In 1762 an
opulent gentleman, who had resided for a generation of mortal life in
Lisbon, was desirous to revisit his paternal home among the meres of the
eastern counties. His wish was further stimulated by the circumstance
that his sister and sole surviving relative dwelt beside one of the great
Broads, which, in these regions, penetrate far inland from the sea-coast.
From London to the capital town of his native county his way was
tolerably smooth and prosperous. The distance was about a hundred and
ten miles, and by the aid of a mail coach he performed the journey in
three days. But now commenced his real labours. Between his sister's
dwelling and the provincial capital lay some twenty miles of alternate
ridges