A Facetious Friend of the Editor’s, on a very Wet Night, after several Messengers, whom he had despatched for a Coach, had returned without obtaining one: at last, at “past one o’clock, and a Rainy Morning,” the Wag walked himself to the next Coach-stand, and politely advised the Waterman to mend his Inside lining with a Pint of Beer, and go home to bed; for, said he, “there will be nothing for you to do to-Night,—I’ll lay you a Shilling that there’s not a Coach out.”—“Why, will you, your Honour? then, done,” cried Mr. Waterman; “but are you really serious, ’cause, if so be as You be, I must make haste and go and get one.” Being assured he would certainly touch the Twelve-penny if he did, He trotted off on his “Nag a ten toes,” and in Ten minutes returned with a Leathern Convenience.—Bonaparte used to say, “In some cases, there is nothing like a Subsidy.”
We make no remarks on the newly introduced
CABRIOLETS,
further than to observe, that they are entitled to only two-thirds of the Fare of a Hackney Coach.
Mr. Jervis says that a Carriage with only Two Wheels, however well piloted by the most expert charioteer, is an extremely dangerous Vehicle in a paved and crowded street—especially, at the rapid rate at which some perfunctory people require them to keep moving. If the Horse be ever so sure-footed, and the Driver ever so skilful and steady, they are frightfully dangerous Vehicles for town work, and will only be used by those who are rash enough to sacrifice safety to Celerity, and Comfort to Cheapness.
HACKNEY COACH AND CHARIOT FARES;
Commencing June 23, 1808, [48 Geo. III. cap. 87.]
FARES ACCORDING TO DISTANCE.
| Not exceeding | s. | d. |
| One mile | 1 | 0 |
| One mile and a half | 1 | 6 |
| Two miles | 2 | 0 |
| Two miles and a half | 3 | 0 |
| Three miles | 3 | 6 |
| Three miles and a half | 4 | 0 |
| Four miles | 4 | 6 |
| Four miles and a half | 5 | 6 |
| Five miles | 6 | 0 |
| Five miles and a half | 6 | 6 |
| Six miles | 7 | 0 |
| Six miles and a half | 8 | 0 |
| Seven miles | 8 | 6 |
| Seven miles and a half | 9 | 0 |
| Eight miles | 9 | 6 |
| Eight miles and a half | 10 | 6 |
| Nine miles | 11 | 0 |
| Nine miles and a half | 11 | 6 |
| Ten miles | 12 | 0 |
| Ten miles and a half | 13 | 0 |
| Eleven miles | 13 | 6 |
| Twelve miles | 15 | 0 |