’Tis observable that so lately as the year 1625, there were not above twenty hackney coaches in the city of London and the adjacent parts; and that these did not ply in the streets as at present; but those who had occasion for them sent for them from the stables where they stood: but in 1635, the number of these coaches being greatly increased, they plied in the streets, which being then much narrower in many parts of London than at present, the common passages were obstructed and rendered dangerous; and it was alledged, that by this great increase, the price of hay and other provender was much enhanced. Upon this a proclamation was published by his Majesty King Charles I. on the 19th of January, strictly commanding, that after the 24th of June following, no hackney coach should be used within the city and suburbs of London, except for carrying of people to and from their habitations in the country: and that no person whatsoever should be allowed to keep a coach in this city, except such persons as were capable of keeping four able horses fit for his Majesty’s service, which were at all times to be ready when called for, under a severe penalty. However in 1654, Cromwell published an ordinance, by which he ordered that the hackney coaches, which he limited to two hundred, should be under the care and government of the court of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. And in 1662 it was enabled by parliament, that all the hackney coaches, which then amounted to four hundred, should annually pay the sum of 5_l._ each towards the charge of paving and cleaning the streets of London and Westminster. Since which time the number of hackney coaches has been augmented to eight hundred, and both they and the hackney, chairs put under the government of the Hackney coach office. _Maitland._ HACKNEY COACH _Office_, in Surry street in the Strand, was erected according to an act of parliament passed in the year 1696, for licensing hackney coaches and chairs, and to put them under the government of five Commissioners, who have a salary of 150_l._ a year each. The number of coaches is limited to eight hundred; out of which two hundred are to ply every Sunday in their turn, on the forfeiture of 5_l._ for every coachman who plies out of his turn. For the better government of these coaches and chairs, and preventing the drivers and owners imposing on those who employ them, each coach has its respective number on a tin plate fixed on each side. The price of each licence is 50_l._ no person is allowed to have more than two licences, and every proprietor pays 5_s._ a week by monthly payments, to the receiver of the office. A hackney coachman plying without a licence, using another’s figure, or defacing his own, forfeits 5_l._ And no horse, mare, or gelding, under fourteen hands high, is to be used in drawing hackney coaches.