Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-12-22
Travelling, in Old Times and New.


people lose sight of their magnitude, and
it is not until they are reminded Of the
Past that they realize the swiftness of the
PreseIt. .---. .5E
just one hundred years from October,
1854, Benjamin Franklin, who was then
Postmaster General, arranged that the
mails from Philadelphia to New York
should start three times week in summer,
and once week during the winter season.
This was considered very great achieve
ment, and Philadelphia, the metropolis,
then began to feel as if it were getting on
particularly friendly and sociable terms
with her little brother, who has since grown
SO immensely beyond the capacity of his
unmentionables. In 1854, Mr.. Postmas-
ter General Franklin received great praise
for his energy and enterprise. Once q
week in summer and once fortnight in
winter were the periods fixed for the trans.
mission Of the mails between the two towns
prior to the Printer Postmaster's notable
innovation. The letter-bags were carried
on horseback until near the close Of the
last century, and most Of the travellers be-
tween Philadelphia and the cities around
it doubtless performed their journies in the
same primitive manner. Is was not until
the year 1892 that a turnpike road was
constructed in the United States. The
Lancaster turnpike is entitled to the dis
tinction of being the first. The toll, suf-
fering, privation and danger attending a
journey Of a hundred miles in the midst
of winter, over such roads as could be
found sixty years ago, were almost equal
to an Arctic trip at the present day. Those
who now 60 from Philadelphia to New
York beside warm stove, and perform the
journey in four hours, should occasionally
cast their eyes backward to the dangers
and suiferings attending the same task
when just as many days were consumed in
accomplishing it, as hours are now requir-
ed
The establishment of regular stage
routes and the introduction of coaches on
the principal lines of travel were deemed
as much matter of Importance in their
day and generation as the opening Of o
new and great line Of railroad communica-
tion is at present considered Those who
were in the habit Of journeying on horse
back from city to city gladly availed them
selves of the ''aying machines" when they
came upon the stage of action, and per-
formed their journies, not only with more
certainty and despatch, but with more
safety and comfort. In bad weather the
wheels got stuck in the mud, capsizes were
not unfrequent, and occasionally a party
of rascally foot pads would relieve the pas
sergers of their watches and money, and
strip the mail bags Of valuables; but as
general thing the passenger to New York
would then start long before daylight from
Philadelphia, breakfast at Trenton, dine
at New Brunswick, and sup where he
could. Gotham was reached la,e the same
night or on the following morning. When
this feat of getting through within the
twenty-four hours was first accomplished,
the perfection of rapid travelling was
thought to be attained
The foregoing is from the Philo Bal-
Ietia. The same paper copies the follow |
ing among other Travellers Advertise
ments, acomparison of which with existing
Railroads, Telegraphs, Canals and Turn
pixies along the same routes, will afford
abundant food for reflection.
Pos, Office, Philadelphia, Saturday, March %, I
1875. Q hours A NJ
The Northern Post who was 10 set out from
New York on Monday last. and arrive at this |
,ffice on Wednesday evening. in order TO per- /
orm his stage as usual,,s not yet come in which
las occasioned the delay Of This paper. I