The Highways and Streets were in very far from good condition, the roads being full of ruts, and the streets when paved, were made of large "Cobble" Stones, and were full of holes, ofttimes very dangerous, as we shall see. The foot pavement, except in some of the best streets, which were flagged, was very narrow, and made of "Kidney" stones on end, such as may still be met with in the bye-ways of some country towns. Consequently no one stirred out more than they could help; the men always on horseback, if single--by "Post," if accompanied by ladies. It will have been noticed in "Men's dress" that they all wear boots, if not in the house, and the reason is plain--they had to be protected against the mud of the streets, and ready for the saddle. Every man had to learn to ride, and no doubt this laid the foundation of the Continental opinion, that every Englishman is a good horseman. "Young Gentlemen during their Holidays, are supplied with gentle pleasant Horses of all sizes, and the most careful Attendance and Instructions for £2 12 6 A Horse to ride for Exercise in the House 0 3 6 Twelve lessons when convenient 2 7 6 Sixteen lessons in four weeks 2 7 0 Single lesson 0 5 0 Book of Instructions for Ladies 0 5 6 Breaking a horse 2 7 6 &c." --(_Morning Post, Jany. 2, 1788._) * * * * * "Advt.--_A CAUTION_ to all Gentlemen who drive Jobb Horses by their own Coachmen, the Gentleman paying yearly wages to them: From a Gentleman who has had experience of it.--That the Coachmaster and Coachmen do agree, the one to give, the other to receive, annually, a certain sum of money, which can be for no other purpose than to defraud their employers, demanding so much more for the price of their horses, to bribe the said Coachmen to conceal defects in them, and to engage the said Coachmaster to recommend the said Coachmen: and so vice-versa to employ each other, if out of place or business. This is a most dishonest, but general practice of the Coachmasters. The writer of this, to avoid and discourage the practice of this Knavery, has purchased his own horses, persuaded no other means will be effectual. This is written merely to put Gentlemen on their guard, at the expense of the Advertiser, and will not be inserted again."--(_Times, July 2, 1795._) Of course those that could afford it travelled Post--which was charged one shilling per horse per mile, besides a gratuity to the "boy," but this was raised to fourteen pence in 1796, when food became so dear.