TULL The Omnibus system is still more remarkable than that of cabs. 'It is Only about twenty or twenty-five years ago that one stage coach, and one only, ran from Paddington to the Bank. All the villages round London' had in like 'manner their small array of Coaches: In 1$29 Mr. Shillibeer intrOclaced the onanibus, a Pa risian in 'Un'tte'r an point of opposition which nearly, ruined the •pro jeofor, was benefiting the "publie. His first omnibus ran front Charing Cros'tO Greenwich, and was 'diawn by' three horses abreast ; but the number two was soon adopted"; rind the stage-coach proprietors, Unable to beat the omnibuses oft' "the road, adopted them, and the system became fiiTely established. It was socin 'found that an om nibus, with its 'easy means of entrance and exit, is a very convenient 'Vehicle its the public streets, where passengers 'enter and slight at various points along the route; and hence omnibuses have effected' what the old stage coaches never did or could effect, viz.; the establishment of cheap routes through all the principalcommercial 'arteries ok London. The fares became" gradually settled at' sixpence per passenger for any distance in and near London; but the last few years have witnessed a reduction to 84. (recently 4d.), in respect to .
short distances. ' .
The principle of competition has led to an instructive result in resp'ect to metropolitan omnibuses. 'When etich proprietor had only a few vehicles, opposed, andwas opposed by, his neighbonrs all sides ; and a scene of redtlessuesi ensued Which endangered the diva and limbs as well 'as' destrians. But this' has given way to"large asSoeintions, in which each proprietor brings his contribution of vehicIe§' and horses to the common stock, and to obey certain rules 'laid down for the guid ance of all. 'the result has been admirable.
With a 'few exceptions here 'and there, the system is nolicondiicted with a regu larity, a precision, a civility, and a' safety, Which was never before equalled. Thiongh the' main of Londen, especially the New Road, 'Holborn, and the Strand,onani buses proceed every two or three minutes thrOughout the There have lately been oMnibus Maps published, in which there ap pears a'Surpnsing number of routes.'' 'There at "least two Associations or' Companies, each which Vuridred omnibuseit, a considerably more than horses te 'work them. It has been found 'expe rience, that to buy good' hers:es, and to treat them well, is a more' economieal practice than the opposite' systen: 'Moat of the hOrSes ens played in the Paddington and City trade (we believe about three thousand in number), make journey each ` a day in each direction.
Mr. Pownall has lately invented a passenger index for orimibuSes.' 'cOniiits' of an electric battery the bottom fniing 'of the 4ehiale, near the Evert' Passenge'r on • entering the omnibus steps upon an elastic spring, which acts upon the battery, and this in its turn acts upon an index or dial. At the end of a day's work, the machinery of the dial will shew how many times persons have entered and left the vehicle. Such is the theory of the apparatus ; but there seem at first sight to be many difficulties in the way of its practical use. A new kind of omnibus has also been recently started, in which each passenger has a separate and distinct seat, and in which there are increased facilities for ascending to the roof of the vehicle.