In our Time ... other [Enormities] are come in place ... meet to be reformed. And first ... Encroachments on the High Ways, Lanes, and common Grounds, in and about this City.... Then the number of Cars, Drays, Carts, and Coaches, more than hath been accustomed (the Streets and Lanes being straightened), must needs be dangerous, as daily Experience proveth. The Coachman rides behind the Horse Tails, lasheth them and looketh not behind him. The drayman sitteth and sleepeth on his Dray and letteth his Horse lead him home. I know, that by the good Laws and Customs of this City, shod[28] Carts are forbidden to enter the same, except upon reasonable Causes (as the Service of the Prince, or such like) they be tolerated. Also that the Fore Horse of every Carriage, should be led by Hand. But these good orders are not observed. [In the time of King Richard II] Anne, Daughter to the King of Bohemia ... first brought hither the riding upon side-saddles; and so was the riding in ... Whirlicotes and Chariots forsaken ... but now of late Years, the Use of Coaches brought out of Germany, is taken up and made so common, as there is neither Distinction of Time, nor Difference of Persons observed; for the World runs on Wheels with many, whose Parents were glad to go on foot. CAUSES OF THE FIRE OF LONDON (Stow, I, p. 227) “Natural causes which might occasion such a general ruin.” 1. The Time of the Night when it first began, viz., between One and Two of the Clock after Midnight, when all were in a dead Sleep. 2. It was Saturday Night, when many of the most eminent Citizens, Merchants and others, were retired into the Country, and none but servants left to look to their City Houses. 3. It was in the Long Vacation ... when many wealthy Citizens and Tradesmen are wont to be in the Country at Fairs, and getting in of Debts, and making up Accounts with their Chapmen. 4. The closeness of the Building and Narrowness of the Streets, in the Places where it began [i.e., Pudding Lane] did much to facilitate the Progress of the Fire; by hindring of the Engines to be brought to play upon the Houses on Fire. 5. The Matter of which the Houses, all thereabouts, were; viz. Timber, and those very old. 6. The Dryness of the preceding Season; there having been a great Drought even to that very Day, and all the Time that the Fire continued, which had so dried the Timber, that it was never more apt to take Fire. 7. The Nature of the Wares and Commodities stowed and vended in those Parts, were the most Combustible of any other sold in the whole City: as Oyl, Pitch, Tar, Cordage, Hemp, Flax, Rosin, Wax, Butter, Cheese, Wine, Brandy, Sugar, etc. 8. An Easterly Wind (which is the dryest of all others)--had blown for several Days together before; and at that Time very strongly.