[Frontispiece.THE RIGHT HON. LORD STANLEY, K.C.V.O., C.B., M.P.
(Postmaster-General.)
The King's Post
Being a volume of historical facts relating to
the Posts, Mail Coaches, Coach Roads,
and Railway Mail Services of and
connected with the Ancient
City of Bristol from 1580
to the present
time.
BY
R.C. TOMBS, I.S.O.
Ex-Controller of the London Postal Service, and lateSurveyor-Postmaster of Bristol;
Author of "The London Postal Service of To-day"
"Visitors' Handbook to General Post Office, London"
"The Bristol Royal Mail."
Bristol
W.C. Hemmons, Publisher, St. Stephen Street.
1905
2nd Edit., 1906. Entered Stationers' Hall.[Pg iv-v]
TO
THE RIGHT HON. LORD STANLEY,
K.C.V.O., C.B., M.P.,
HIS MAJESTY'S POSTMASTER-GENERAL,
THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED
AS A TESTIMONY OF HIGH
APPRECIATION OF HIS DEVOTION
TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE AT
HOME AND ABROAD,
BY
HIS FAITHFUL SERVANT,
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
When in 1899 I published the "Bristol RoyalMail," I scarcely supposed that it wouldbe practicable to gather further historical factsof local interest sufficient to admit of the compilationof a companion book to that work. Such, however, hasbeen the case, and much additional information hasbeen procured as regards the Mail Services of the District.
Perhaps, after all, that is not surprising asBristol is a very ancient city, and was once thesecond place of importance in the kingdom, withnecessary constant mail communication withLondon, the seat of Government.
I am, therefore, enabled to introduce to notice"The King's Post," with the hope that it will[Pg viii]prove interesting and find public support equalto that generously afforded to its forerunner,which treated of Mail and Post Office topics fromearliest times.
I have been rendered very material assistancein my researches by Mr. J.A. Housden, late ofthe Savings Bank Department, G.P.O., London;also by Mr. L.C. Kerans, ex-postmaster of Bath,and Messrs. S.I. Toleman and G.E. Chambers,ex-assistant Superintendents of the Bristol PostOffice.
I have gathered many interesting facts from"Stage Coach and Mail," by Mr. C.G. Harper, towhom I express hearty indebtedness; and I amalso under deep obligation to Mr. Edward Bennett,Editor of the "St. Martin's-le-Grand Magazine,"and the Assistant Editor, Mr. Hatswell, for muchvaluable assistance.
R.C.T.
Bristol, September, 1905.