CHAPTER I.

THE EARLIEST BRISTOL POSTS, 1580.--FOOT AND RUNNING POSTS.--THE FIRST BRISTOL POSTMASTERS: ALLEN AND TEAGUE, 1644-1660.--THE POST HOUSE.--EARLIEST LETTERS, 1662. _Page_ 1

THE POST HOUSE AT THE DOLPHIN INN, IN DOLPHIN STREET, BRISTOL, 1662.--EXCHANGE AVENUE AND SMALL STREET POST OFFICES, BRISTOL. _Page_ 8

ELIZABETHAN POST TO BRISTOL.--THE QUEEN'S PROGRESS, 1574. _Page_ 16

THE ROADS.--THE COACH.--MR. JOHN PALMER'S MAIL COACH INNOVATIONS, 1660-1818. _Page_ 22

APPRECIATIONS OF RALPH ALLEN, JOHN PALMER, AND SIR FRANCIS FREELING, MAIL AND COACH ADMINISTRATORS. _Page_ 45

BRISTOL MAIL COACH ANNOUNCEMENTS, 1802, 1830.--THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE, LONDON. _Page_ 62