[1] Messrs. Balls Brothers adopted the ticket system on August 26, 1901. Unfortunately, the pirate conductors read my advice, and some of them quickly rendered it nugatory by wearing punches and holding packets of tickets in their hands so that every one might see them. The punches differed, however, in appearance from those used by the Companies and Associations. A similar dodge was very common among pirates immediately after the great strike, when the ticket system was in its infancy and conductors of the various companies carried rolls of paper tickets. The pirate conductors provided themselves with ticket-rolls, but once passengers were safe in their omnibuses they never troubled to tear off and issue the tickets. One old lady, deceived by a pirate’s appearance, entered it, in the belief that it was one of the London General’s omnibuses, and ensconced herself comfortably in the far corner. After a time the conductor entered, collected her fare and returned to the door without giving her a ticket. For a few moments the old lady eyed him sorrowfully. Then she said in a tone of gentle reproof, “Conductor, you haven’t given me a ticket.” “Want a ticket, lady?” the conductor replied cheerfully. “’Ere you are, then; take a bloomin’ yard of ’em,” and tearing off a long string of tickets dropped it in coils in the astonished passenger’s lap. But the favourite reply of pirate conductors when asked for a ticket is, “We don’t have to give tickets. We’re honest men on these ’buses.” In conclusion, I would point out that the London General, the Road Car, and the other Companies and Associations described in Chapter VI., between them cover the whole of London, and there is, therefore, not the slightest necessity for any one to enter a pirate. All the would-be passenger has to do is to refrain from placing the slightest reliance on the colour of the omnibus, but to see that it bears on the panels the name of one of the Companies or Associations which I have mentioned. Visitors to London should take note of the fact that Christmas Eve is the day on which pirates reap a big harvest. PART II _CABS_ CHAPTER I The introduction of hackney-coaches--“The world run on wheels”--The first hackney-coach stand and the oldest cab rank in England--Sedan chairs introduced--Charles I. and Charles II. prohibit hackney-coaches--Hackney-coaches and the Plague--William Congreve--Threatened strike of hackney-coachmen--Hackney-chariots introduced--Prince of Wales drives a hackney-coach--Licences--Funeral coaches ply for hire in the streets--A pedometer for hackney-coaches suggested--Dickens on hackney-coaches--Origin of the word “hackney.”