In Saint Petersburg the Russian Emperor had an Imperial carriage factory, originally established in 1821. At these works, which now belong to Messrs Brautigam, two hundred and fifty men are employed. Fifty new carriages a year are built for the Royal family, besides the repairing and altering of others. There is a steam-engine on the premises. There is also at St Petersburg a museum, in which repose travelling carriages on the ground floor, and State carriages on the first floor. There are post-chaises of 1746 and 1762, and seven carriages which were in use by the Empress Catherine, many decorated by well-known painters, such as Watteau, Boucher, Gravelot, &c., and superbly fitted up in the interior with velvet and silk. There are twelve sledges of the elaborate build of former days. I will here mention that, by the kind permission of Mr W. H. Smith, of the Treasury, I am able to give some further returns of carriages paying duty. Four-wheeled carriages amounted in 1834 to 49,000; in 1844, 62,000; in 1854, 68,000; in 1864, 102,000; and in 1874 there were actually 150,000 four-wheeled carriages paying duty, but these last numbers now include vehicles which were formerly taxed under the Postmaster’s and Stage duties, and these vehicles in 1864 had amounted to 25,000, still without them the increase in ten years is 23,000, quite as many as were kept in the year 1814. In 1814, that is 23,000 four-wheeled carriages paid duty, and in 1874 they had increased to 125,000. The return states there were of two-wheeled carriages in-- 1834 50,000 including the tax carts. 1844 33,000 “ 1854 137,000 “ 1864 170,000 “ And in-- 1874 285,000 two-wheeled carriages, including basket and other four-wheeled traps under 4 cwt. Carriages of both sorts then have increased from about 60,000 in 1814 to 432,600 in 1874, a benefit to the general population it is clear, as well as to the workmen. It is a satisfaction that our trade contributes to the comfort, happiness, and respectability of the community in general, and is also a very healthy trade for the workmen. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER V. ON PUBLIC CARRIAGES. Travelling before A.D. 1600--Great Width of Waggon Wheels--Turnpike Roads--Post Saddle Horses--Hackneys--Stage Coaches--Hackney Coaches--Cheap Rate of Hire--The York Coach--The Manchester Flying Coach--The Post Chaise--The Diligence--Post-Boys--Mr T. Pennant on Travelling--Increase of Mail Coaches--M‘Adam’s Roads--Four-in-Hand Clubs--Russian Travelling--Two-Wheeled Street Cabs--Street Cabs need Improvement--Hansom Cabs--Omnibus of Pascal--Omnibus of 1820--Shillibeer’s Omnibuses--General Omnibus Company--American Coachmaking--Fast Cabs of Vienna.