84 History of the Company. 



limited by the Star Chamber. Pepys, writing on 

 the 7th November, 1660, says, ''notwithstanding 

 this was the first day of the King's (Charles II.) 

 proclamation against hackney coaches coming 

 into the streets to stand to be hired, yet I got 

 one to carry me home." 



The introduction of stage coaches was similarly 

 resented by the Company, and In 1670 a Bill was 

 ordered by them to be drawn up and preferred In 

 Parliament against the obnoxious vehicles. The 

 Company also resolved to reward any person who 

 should be Instrumental In procuring the enact- 

 ment of the Bill. The Clerk's services in this 

 direction were recognised by a gift of one 

 hundred pounds, but the steps taken were without 

 any material effect, as events have shown. 



In 1624-5, the City was visited by a " pesti- 

 lence in which 35,403 persons perished, 

 pia ue ^^ each occasion of these plagues the 

 Lord Mayor prohibited all public 

 feasts and assemblies, and the following minute is 

 probably In reference to this interdict : — 



1626. August lot/i. 



" At this Court it is ordered that there shall be a 

 Masters' dynner kept in private manner w^houte any 

 solemnitie as hath byn accustomed." 



Charles I. succeeded to the throne In 1625, 

 and on the 3rd of May In that year, we read that — 



