Public travel was in its infancy : the hardy colonist bestrode his own good horse and started on a distant journey with no more concern than we board a railroad train nowadays. After the Revolution, however, there was a marked and general improvement. A stage line was begun, in 1785, between New York and Albany. In 1787 stage communication with Boston was had three times a week in summer and twice a week in winter, and the towns in Westchester County had a stage from New York City every other day.

It will be readily imagined that the mails did not carry tons of printed matter, as in our time. The first newspaper printed in New York was the yew York Gazette, a weekly, established by William Bradford, in 1725. It was printed on a half-sheet of foolscap. The type was large and much worn. The first daily paper. The New York Daily Advertiser, published by F. Child & Co., only made its appearance in 1785. Westchester had no newspaper until after the Revolution, but its people not only read the New York journals, but also advertised in them. Here are some advertisements inserted by the people of Rye, and preserved in Mr. Baird's history of that town :

"Oct. 23, 1749. W«>. Bl ETlS, Hat-Maker, Now living at Harrison's Pnichiise, in Rye, carries on the Hatter's Trade there, and makes and sells as good Hats a« any in the Province, for ready Jloney, or short Credit. Wm. Bvbtis."

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.