With the hills above and the vales below,
And merry wheresoe'er I go.
If the Opposition appear in sight,
What matter, what matter, we'll set that all right."
In the introduction I ventured to point out some inaccuracies which I had observed in a statement made upon the subject of coach fares, and as it is probably one which few remember anything about, I give a statement of what would be about the profit and loss of a month's working of a coach for a hundred miles.
| RECEIPTS. | ||||
| A Full Load on the Way-bill both ways. | ||||
| £ | s. | d. | ||
| 8 inside passengers | 15 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 outside | 25 | 4 | 0 | |
| Parcels | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Parcels | £ | 41 | 4 | 0 |
| Month's receipts | 988 | 16 | 0 | |
| Deduct expenses | 113 | 14 | 0 | |
| £ | 875 | 2 | 0 | |
| PAYMENTS. | ||||
| Daily | ||||
| £ | s. | d. | ||
| 15 toll-gates, at 3s.[3] | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| Hire of coach, per mile 2½d. | 1 | 0 | 10 | |
| Mileage duty, 2d.[4] | 0 | 6 | 8 | |
| Washing and oiling coaches | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| £ | 4 | 8 | 6 | |
| For 4 weeks | £ | 106 | 4 | 0 |
| Monthly. | ||||
| 8 road booking-offices | £ | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 end booking-offices | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Making Share bills | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Oil and trimming lamps, say | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | £ | 113 | 14 | 0 |
This makes £8 15s. to be divided per mile, which, of course, would give a very handsome profit; but full loading could not be expected every day, and if it was reduced to half loads, it would not be such a very fat concern.
The cost of each horse was usually put at 17s. 6d. a week, including blacksmith, and that, supposing a man to cover a ten-mile stage for which eight horses would be ample if not running on Sundays, would cost £7 a week, or £28 a month, leaving, at about half loading, say £20 profit. But from this has to be deducted saddler, veterinary surgeon, and wear and tear, the two latter of which depend, to a certain extent, on circumstances over which he has not much control, as it depends upon such things as sickness in the stables and accidents.
[3] ] It was usual for coaches to come to terms with the pikers to pay for three horses instead of four.
[4] ] There had also to be paid £5 licence duty yearly when the plates were taken out.