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than a dozen times, and had it not been for the worthy boors of Sussex, who supported the carriage on each side on their shoulders, the number would have been greater.
It was not until the latter portion of the last century that any great improvement was effected in the method of travelling to the Metropolis. At this period a vehicle left Brighton for London, called " Wessin's Coach," by way of Bramber, Steyning, Horsham, &c, and, with the consent of the majority of the passengers, arrived at its destination in about 12 hours. Afterwards a new "Post Coach," to carry 4 insides and no outsides on the top, set out from the Old Ship, at 6.30 a.m., on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, in the summer, to the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, returning the alternate days at 6 a.m.,—and from the limited number of passengers that this vehicle carried the price charged must have been extremely high. Another coach running to London on alternate days at 6 a.m., at a cheaper rate, through Reigate and Cuckfield, the fares being, insides 13s., outsides and children on lap, 7s., allowed 141bs. luggage, all weight above to pay Id. per lb. Since this period and the commencement of the present century great improvements in time and speed in the performance of the journey to the metropolis have been introduced, consequent on the influx of visitors being greater ; and it is recorded that in August, 1809, "neither a house or lodging could be obtained for love or money." On May 21st, 1810, the first mail coaches were put on the road between Brighton and London, and a coach called the " Regent" commenced running September 6th, 1813, and in less than a week, on Sunday 12th, it overturned at Merstham, causing great injury to the passengers. The traffic increased so rapidly, that in October, 1822, there were no less than forty-two coaches running daily between Brighton and London alone. The first coach that performed the |
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