Afterwards came the Flying Coach of 1742, followed in 1758 by an “improved Birmingham Coach,” with the legend “Friction Annihilated” prominent on the axle-boxes. This the _Annual Register_ declared to be “perhaps the most useful invention in mechanics this age has produced.” Much virtue lingered in that “perhaps,” for nothing more was heard of that wonderful device. In 1812 the Post Office established a Birmingham Mail, and great was the local rejoicing on May 26th, when, attended by eight mail-guards in full uniform, adorned with blue ribbons, it paraded the streets. After two hours’ procession, when coachman and guards were feasted with wine, biscuits, and sandwiches, the Mail set out for London from the “Swan” Hotel, amid the ringing of St. Martin’s bells and the cheering of the assembled thousands. Eight years later it was estimated that Birmingham owned eighty-four coaches. Forty of these were daily, and most plied on bye-roads. [Illustration: OLD BIRMINGHAM COACHING BILL.] BIRMINGHAM STAGE-COACH, In Two _Days_ and a half; begins _May_ the 24th, 1731. SETS out from the _Swan-Inn_ in _Birmingham_, every _Monday_ at six a Clock in the Morning, through _Warwick_, _Banbury_ and _Alesbury_, to the _Red Lion Inn_ in _Aldersgate street_, _London_, every _Wednesday_ Morning: And returns from the said _Red Lion Inn_ every _Thursday_ Morning at five a Clock the same Way to the _Swan-Inn_ in _Birmingham_ every _Saturday_, at 21 Shillings each Passenger, and 18 Shillings from _Warwick_, who has liberty to carry 14 Pounds in Weight, and all above to _pay One Penny a Pound_. Perform d (if God permit) By Nicholas Rothwell. _The_ Weekly Waggon _sets out every Tuesday from the Nagg’s-Head in Birmingham, to the_ Red Lion Inn _aforesaid, every Saturday, and returns from the said Inn every Monday, to the Nagg’s-Head in Birmingham every Thursday._ _Note. By the said_ Nicholas Rothwell _of_ Warwick, _all Persons may be furnished with a By Coach Chariot, Chaise or Hearse, with a Mourning Coach and able Horses, to any Part of Great Britain, at reasonable Rates And also Saddle Horses to be had._ * * * * *