OMNIBUS AND CAB. The street tra velling of London is one of the most remark able commercial features of our age. It would be impossible to estimate the value of the time saved (and consequently money saved), by the use of these vehicles; but there can be no question that it is enormous.
In respect to coaches or cabs, the changes have been remarkable. A fewyears ago every vehicle on• a coach stand was drawn by two horses : there is now not such a thing to be seen (we here speak of the Metropolis). Hackney coaches first began to ply in 1625; their number had increased to 200 in 1652, to 400 in 1661, to 800 in the beginning of the following century. This number has gra dually increased to about 3000. In 1813 a lighter kind of vehicle, drawn h one horse, was lirtinght into Use iii:1°M1s. In 1823 licences were obtained in London for eight cabriolets,' which were • started at 'fares 'one third than those of hackney coaches ; the 'vested interest' of the old hackney coach men was made thq groundwork of a strenuous opposition ; but the convenience of the neiv vehicles all difficulties: A limit was made to the number of each kind untli the year 1832, when 'all restriction was removed, and any one Could'obtain alicence (under proper regulations), by paying for it.
ti curious to mark the 'gradual impreve pent§ in cabs,' cabriolets, as the system established They Were at first hooded chaises, a liveried driver sat on the same seat:with' the had hired the cab. Then'cape an alteration by which two persons could bd itccemino4ted ;' the driver having a little neat fitted for him 'at the right band bf the Nay of 'the vehicle. Next Caine
the boxed-up 'vehicle;' which presented the appearance Of a slice off an omnibus'; it was on two wheels', With a door at' the back. After a few minor cli'anges, the four•wheeled cab presented itself, and has ever since re rnsiried the type of the clas§ generally; it is well built, and will contain fque persons. Lastly came the dashing pizitsone patent; 4 two-wheeledyqhicle, very low, opening ha the front, having a seat the driver behind the top, and having large wheels; it to rattle on at a great speed. ' '‘ It is believed that tha returns which a cab brings to it's proprietor average' aborit hillf guinea, a day, besides that portion which goes to the drives for his wageS. Mani' attempts have been 'made to proVide means for testing the honesty of the drivers bynome Mechanical arrangement connected with 'the" either a sort of tell-tale, 'sheW 'how often persons have entered 'or left 'the Vehicle, or how many miles the wheels have rotated ; but hitherto nothing of this kind has been foetid evttilable: "A company is, we believe,hi pro cess of formation, for constructing cabs which shall admit of equitable "the proprietors, the drivers, and the public ; there is to be some kind of passenger-index, which Will afford ineens for the dietanqe