Page:Remarks on the Present System of Road Making (1823).djvu/113

 and as to mail coaches, vice versa. In the country, the day stock of the coaches is very good, but in the night they work them very badly.

Do you find that your horses that are employed in the stages near London, wear out sooner than those at a greater distance?—Much sooner, I should think. I employ about four hundred horses myself, and I am sure I buy one hundred and fifty a year to support the number, and keep the stock in order. I consider that my stock wears out fully in three years.

How much longer on an average, will horses last at a distance from town?—I should think double the time: for these reasons; first, the work is lighter, and next, the food is better; besides which, the lodging of them is better; the stables are airy and more healthy; they have not so often diseases in the country as we have in London.

Are you in the habit of working coaches to any great distance from London?—I work them half way to Bristol; with Mr. Pickwick of Bath, I work to Newbury.

Do you know whether the horses that are employed still lower down upon that road, are considered to have lighter or heavier work?—I should not keep larger horses for that work myself; I should keep short-legged horses, because of the hills.

Which are of less value?—Yes.

Speaking generally, if the same skill and management that you have mentioned in particular districts were generally employed, do you not think that the roads of England and Wales might be put into a very perfect state of repair?—I think, that with better direction as to management, they might be put into a much better state of repair, at the same cost, than they now are. There is a road, called the North-east Road (the way that the Edinburgh mail comes,) which is much improved lately, and without any great expense.

Under whose management is that road?—Of a Mr. Clay. It has been done by rolling the road, and breaking the gravel to