ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



thoroughfares, and many methods were suggested of 

 abating the nuisance. 



In 1619 a tax of 40/. a year (which was then 

 equivalent to 200/. at least of our present currency) was 

 supposed to be levied on all persons below a certain 

 degree who kept a coach. In January 1635-36, King 

 Charles I. found it necessary to issue a Proclamation 'for 

 restraint of the multitude and promiscuous use of coaches 

 about London and Westminster.' From the terms of 

 this document we gather that the great number of 

 hackney coaches in London and Westminster, and the 

 general use of coaches, had become a great nuisance to 

 the King, the Queen, the nobility and others of place 

 and degree in their passage through the streets. The 

 streets were also so ' pestered,' and the pavement so 

 broken up, that the common passage was hindered and 

 made dangerous, and the prices of hay and provender 

 were alarmingly high. These coaches for hire did not 

 stand in the street, but at the principal inns. 



His Majesty therefore commanded that no hackney 

 coach should be used, except to travel three miles out of 

 London ; and that no person should go in a coach in the 

 streets of London, unless he kept four horses for his 

 Majesty's service whenever his occasions should require. 

 This prohibition was not enforced after the King's death. 

 In 1637 there were in London and Westminster fifty 

 hackney coaches. 



For the most part, says Moryson, Englishmen, es- 

 pecially in long journeys, used to ride upon their own 

 horses ; for hired horses, two shillings was paid for the 



