I enclose copies of advertisements which appear in some old newspapers in my possession, and which in some degree illustrate the history of travelling and in themselves show, I imagine, the advance made between 1739 and 1767, since I consider that "The Old Constant Froom Flying Waggon," of the former date was the parent of "The From Stage Machine" of the latter.

I notice in the Sherborne paper all public stage conveyances are designated as machines.

Copies of advertisements in The Daily Advertiser of the 9^th April, 1739:

"For Bath: A good Coach and able Horses will set out from the Black Swan, in Holborn, on Wednesday or Thursday.   Enquire of William Maud."

"Exeter Flying Stage Coach in Three Days, and Dorchester and Blandford in Two days.

Go from the Saracen's Head Inn, in Friday Street, London, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from the New Inn, in Exeter, every Tuesday and Thursday, performed by: JOAN PAYNE, JOHN SANDERSON, THOMAS BURY

Note: Once a week there is an entire Dorchester and Blandford Coach from Dorchester on Mondays, and from London on Fridays.

The Stage begins Flying on Monday next, the 16^th instant."

"The old standing constant Froom Flying Waggon in Three Days Sets out with Goods and Passengers from Froom for London, every Monday, by One o'clock in the morning, and will be at the King's Arms Inn, at Holborn Bridge, the Wednesday following by Twelve o'clock at Noon; from whence it will set out on Thursday morning, by One o'clock, for Amesbury, Shrewton, Chittern, Heytesbury, Warminster, Froom, and all other places adjacent and will continue allowing each passenger fourteen pounds, and be at Froom, on Saturday by Twelve at noon.

If any passengers have occasion to go from either of the aforesaid places they shall be supplied with able horses and a guide by Joseph Clavey ; the proprietor of the said Flying Waggon. The Waggon calls at the White Bear in Piccadilly coming in and going out.

Note: Attendance is constantly given at the King's Arms, Holborn Bridge aforesaid, to take in Goods and passengers' names ; but no money, plate, bank notes or jewels will be insured unless delivered as such performed by JOSEPH CLAVEY.

N.B. His other Waggons keep their States as usual.

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From Crutwell's Sherborne, Shaftesbury, and Dorchester Journal or Yeovil, Taunton and Bridgewater Chronicle, of Friday, February 6^th, 12^th and 20^th, 1767.

Taunton Flying Machines, Hung on Steel Springs, in two days. Sets out from the Saracen's Head Inn in Friday Street, London, and Taunton every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at Three o'clock in the morning ; and returns every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, lays at the Antelope in Salisbury, going Up and Down : To carry six inside passengers, each to pay

Outside passengers and children in the lap, half-fare as above; each inside passenger allowed fourteen pounds luggage; all above to Taunton two pence per pound and so in proportion to any part of the road.

No money, plate, jewels or writings will be accounted for if lost, unless entered as such and paid accordingly.

Performed by: JOHN WHITMARSH, THOMAS LILEY

From the same paper of Friday April 17^th, 24^th and May 1^st, 1767:

From 1767: The Proprietors of the FROME STAGE MACHINE

In order to make it more agreeable to their friends in the west have engaged to set out post chaises from the Christopher Inn, in Wells, every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evening at five o'clock to stop at the George Inn, at Shepton Mallet, and set out from thence at a quarter past six to carry passengers from Parcels to Frome, to be forwarded from thence to London in the One Day Flying Machine, which began on Sunday the 12^th of April, 1767. Also a chaise from Frome every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Evenings to Shepton and Wells, as soon as the coach arrives from London, if any passengers Etc go down, at the following prices:

From Wells to Frome four shillings
From Shepton three shillings,
Small parcels 6d each
From Shepton 4d,
Large parcels a halfpenny per pound from each place.

All passengers who intend taking the advantage of this method of travelling, are desired to take their places at the above Innes in Wells and Shepton as follows:

Viz. Those who intend going on Sunday enter the Tuesday before their going

Those who go on Tuesday enter the Thursday before their going and for Thursday the Sunday before, the proper notice may be given at Frome to secure the places: if at any time

Notes and Queries Vol. 1 (5) Dec 1 1849 Page 69

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