We have spoken of the principles of Mr. Bianconi. They were most
honourable. His establishment might be spoken of as a school of
morality. In the first place, he practically taught and enforced
the virtues of punctuality, truthfulness, sobriety, and honesty.
He also taught the public generally the value of time, to which,
in fact, his own success was in a great measure due. While
passing through Clonmel in 1840, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall called
upon Bianconi and went over his establishment, as well as over
his house and farm, a short distance from the town. The
travellers had a very pressing engagement, and could not stay to
hear the story of how their entertainer had contrived to "make so
much out of so little." "How much time have you?" he asked.
"Just five minutes." "The car," says Mr. Hall, "had conveyed us
to the back entrance. Bianconi instantly rang the bell, and said
to the servant, 'Tell the driver to bring the car round to the
front,' adding, 'that will save one minute, and enable me to tell
you all within the time.' This was, in truth the secret of his
success, making the most of time."[4]
But the success of Bianconi was also due to the admirable
principles on which his establishment was conducted. His drivers
were noted as being among the most civil and obliging men in
Ireland, besides being pleasant companions to boot. They were
careful, punctual, truthful, and honest; but all this was the
result of strict discipline on the part of their master.
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