(156)
The Emperors which had Reigned before him, had Established ways of Intelligence, for the speedier understanding the Motions and Attempts of their Enemies upon the Frontiers, and particularly they had setled a Correspondency in every City and Village in those Provinces, that thereby they might be advertised of any Sedition or other accident that might happen; as also of the Deportment of their Governors and Lieutenant Generals; and for the safer and more speedy Conveyance of such sums of Money, as should be raised in the Provinces more immediately under the Jurisdiction of the Empire, or in such as were only tributary: To this purpose in every days journey, they had setled a Man who was to Post Eight Stages a day, but in some places their Stages were not so many, though five were the fewest. In these several Stages, there were about forty layd Horses, and a just proportion of Grooms: Those therefore who had any important Affairs, made use of this way, and by frequent change of Horses, which were always in Breath, they would make as much way easily in one day, as in ten any other way. This was not only convenient to such as had business of importance, but was likewise of great advantage to those whose Lands lay in the middle of the Provinces, and yielded them a considerable Revenue, by giving them opportunity of putting off their Grain and other Commodities, to such as had the Charge of those Horses, and were to provide for the Passen-
