“Ægre jam relicto rure _Securem Aldermanni_—_bury_ Primo petii, qua exosa Sentina, HOLBURNI ROSA Me excepit, ordine tali Appuli GRYPHEM VETERIS BAILEY: Ubi experrectum lecto TRES CICONIAS indies specto, Quo victurus, donec æstas Rure curas tollet mæstas: Ego etiam et Sodales Nunc _Galerum Cardinalis_ Visitantes, vi Minervæ Bibimus ad _Cornua Cervi_.” Our inns may not always be found at the roadside; and we may possibly ever and anon seem to have missed the track altogether. Yet we will come into the main line in the end, and, I trust, part with kindly feelings, when the time has come for saying SISTE VIATOR. Contents Introduction 1 The most Ancient Roads 2 The Assyrian Roads 4 Caligula’s Whim 5 Carthaginian Roads 6 Grecian Roads 7 Roman Roads 8 Celtic and Germanic Roads 13 Roads in the Dark Ages 15 Insecurity of Travelling 16 The Norman Barons 17 Speed in Travelling 22 Cæsar’s Journeys 23 Fast Bishops 24 Roman Senators 25 Wolsey’s Speed 26 Lord Peterborough 27 Travelling Charges 28 Petruchio’s Horse 29 Cotton’s Ride 32 Tour in Derbyshire 33 Speed in Travelling 37 Wakes and Fairs 39 Roman Compitalia 39 The Fairs of the East 40 Obstructions to Trade 41 Expenses and Retinues 42 Ancient Travellers 43 The Family Coach 48 A Journey to London 50 Highwaymen 53 The Boston Mail 54 Arms and the Men 55 The Decay of Beggars 56 The Mendicant Orders 57 Highway Legislation 58 Roadside Inns 59 Roadside Meals 60 Stage Coaches 61 Dangers of the Road 62 Voltaire and his Companions 63