hours, after the rate of sixpence for every fifteen minutes, or a fractional part of fifteen mi

nutes.

The driver has the power to charge by distance or time; cabriolets (or cabs) are one third less than the above. Strangers, who have boxes or any luggage, should always say to the driver, before they get into either a hackney-coach or a cab, "Remember, you are not to charge anything for my luggage," when they will always agree to make no extra charge for that; else, when they put you down, they will always try to make you pay for it. You should always take the number, which is painted outside coaches and cabs, or shewn on a metal plate with raised figures hung inside the carriages; because, if the drivers are insolent, or overcharge you, or if you leave anything in them, you have only to apply to the office in Somerset House, where they are registered, to get justice done you.

The number of hackney-coaches which are about London streets is from six to seven hundred; a very great proportion of them are large, and will carry six persons; and although they are only licensed to carry four, the coachman will not object to as many riding as wish to get in, but he claims an extra fare for every person above four that he may be required to carry. A great many of them, perhaps ninety out of every hundred of them, have formerly been carriages be

longing to the nobility and gentry: the coach builders have taken them in exchange for more modern ones, and after being fresh painted and varnished, they are purchased by the proprietors of hackney coaches. There are a considerable number of chariots, to carry three persons inside, most of them also were built and first used by gentlemen, and when they began to get soiled and to look shabby they got into their present occupation. The cabriolets (or cabs) as they are most commonly called are small light two wheeled carriages to carry two persons drawn by one horse-although there are some modern ones with four wheels which shut up and you get in at a door at the side. Omnibusses answer the purpose very well for all persons in London who are going to any place close to the street through which they pass, and where saving of money is an object, as for the small charge of sixpence, you can ride for many miles as previously shewn. But if you are going to any of the squares, at the west end, and are not in a great hurry, for one shilling per mile you can have an hackney coach or chariot, but if you want to go only one hundred yards it is still a shilling. The great advantage to strangers is that the drivers of hackney coaches and cabs know every place, and you have only to name where you wish to go to, when they drive forthwith to the spot, and knowing all the bye streets they are enabled to get

quicker to their journey's end, than if they kept in the principal thoroughfares, where there are

frequently long stoppages. But before you get in, ask of some respectable shopkeeper or of a policeman, how far it is to where you wish to go, and then tell the coachman that you understand it is so far, and if he will take you and your luggage for such a sum you will go, and not otherwise, then you will be secure from imposition; or tell him to drive you two, three, or four miles in the direction of the place to which you wish to go.

It is supposed there are about fifteen hundred cabs and their charge is eight pence per mile, and if you are in haste to get any where, you can readily select one with a good horse, which will get you over the ground at more than eight miles an hour; it is wonderful they are not crushed to pieces; you will see them fly through an opening between an omnibus and a heavy waggon with not more than an inch to spare on either side, and it is quite fearful to a stranger to see them thus braving all risks to gain time. It is very amusing to those who know London well to see how cunning and knowing the drivers of these vehicles look, when a stranger directs them to drive to any place not more than a few yards distance. Their thumb is placed to their nose and a twirl of their outstretched fingers announces to their brethren that they have" caught a flat," to use their own words.

Mr. Austin the master Rigger of Chatham Yard was Boatswain to Admiral Nelson and after one of his great victories had occasion to visit the Admiralty, he knew little of London, and having been stopping at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, which is in sight, and within a few yards, of the Admiralty, he called a coach and ordered to be driven there. He was shut into his vehicle driven round by Spring Garden, instead of crossing the road direct to it, and in a few seconds was set down and paid his shilling. He often now laughs heartily at his short ride. Coaches and Cabriolets with their horses are to be found with their drivers night and day, rain or shine, upon their stands; the horse has his food in his nosebag, a man to water them is upon each stand, and the horses and drivers appear to be of that description of animals that no weather can hurt, no disease reach, and in fact weather proof. It is said that, the expenditure upon a hackney coach for the duty, licenses and feeding of their horses is upwards of thirty shillings per week, there is then the driver to keep, an occasional new horse, and repairs to their carriages, so that these also, although a great comfort and convenience to the public, must be a speculation not paying largely for the capital employed, including risks.

We may as well at this part state that private vehicles of every description may be hired in London, and on the evening of Sunday it is

curious to see the thousands of various carriages and horses which are coming from all points into London. You will see Stanhopes, Dennetts and Cabs of high finish and good horses; you will see Gigs and Pony Chaises, Taxed Carts and every other description of known vehicle into which a horse can be placed; the poor horses dragging along their heavy loads, as if every body was resolved to get as much work out of them as they possibly can. You will see many hundreds of four wheeled open chaises drawn by one horse, with seven or eight heavy persons behind a poor worn out animal, and generally the lash of the whip worn off, and part of the leather thong untwisted by thrashing the wretched creature to make him increase his speed. You will see poor miserable undersized donkeys drawing a cart full of people and the driver with a stout stick constantly beating the poor half starved animal; all this may be seen at any of the principal entrances, such as Hyde Park Corner, Elephant and Castle, or Shoreditch Church.

Yet perhaps no where can such really elegant carriages and good horses be procured, as may be had for hire in London by those to whom money is no object; you can at some of the Mews in London procure for about two pounds for the day of sixteen hours, a carriage that cannot be distinguished from the undecorated carriage of a nobleman, with horses as good as are

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