1854-1857 237 passed completely away in England, some account of him may not prove uninteresting. His father had been inspector of mail-coaches in Exeter, and James contracted for the horses to run the mail from Basingstoke to Falmouth and back. From the time that he became contractor he did not often himself take the ribbons, unless the humour took him, or there was something wrong with the horses in the stables along the road, or that he had to negotiate some sale, or settle some difference among the ostlers, or else that he had a traveller for his box-seat who was highly in his favour. The rate appointed for coaches, including stoppages, was bound to be thirteen miles an hour. The mail spun along, night and day, without a halt save for change of horses ; and how speedily that was effected ! De Quincey tells us : " Nowadays (1833) no sooner have the horses stopped at the gateway of a posting-house, than a summons is passed to the stables, and in less than one minute, upon a great road, the horses next in rotation, always ready harnessed, when expecting to come on duty, are heard trotting down the yard. Putting to, and transferring luggage, once a work of at least thirty minutes, is now easily accomplished." Should the mail be delayed, except by an unavoidable accident, or being held up by highwaymen, the driver was fined. On one occasion only was Lawless punished. He was driving the coach with a couple of gentlemen on top, each of whom took with him a fighting-cock. These two fell into discussion and then into hot dispute as to the merits of their respective birds, and argued the matter with such heat that they came to blows, and were near throwing one another down from the top of the coach. Lawless drew up : " Gentlemen," said he, " I've no right to do it, but to save broken bones I'll just break the rule. Have the cocks out and let 'em fight on the road-side." Down clambered the passengers from the top, out of the coach tumbled the " insides." Heavy bets were made, and the cocks were set fighting. This reached the ears of the postal authorities at St. Martin's-le-Grand, and Lawless had to pay a hea\y fine. However, the gentleman who had won with his cock refunded the money to the sportive coachman.
