338 DRIVING. 



Many of these carriages, especially those sent to foreign 

 countries, are provided with numerous additional fittings to 

 carry luncheons and picnic arrangements, but so contrived as 

 to be little observed when in use. 



This list and description might be much extended by de- 

 scribing carriages occasionally made for special purposes, and 

 may be closed with a description of a few carriages used as 

 public conveyances and plying for hire on the streets of London 

 and large provincial towns. 



The hansom cab, as a private carriage, has been already 

 noticed. Those used on the streets much resemble them, and, 

 although of somewhat rougher build, these new vehicles may 

 be favourably compared with those of any other great city. 

 And with improved cabs have come an improved class of 

 drivers, greatly encouraged by the managers of the Cab -Drivers' 

 Benevolent Association and those other benevolent ladies 

 and gentlemen who have latterly provided the cabmen with 

 comfortable shelters, where they are protected from the rain 

 and storms, and obtain wholesome refreshments at moderate 

 rates. 



The four-wheel cabs are small closed carriages holding 

 four persons inside and with a low driving-seat on the boot 

 for the driver, with space for another person at his side, seldom, 

 however, used. They are hung low, are entered with a single 

 step from the ground, and are provided with an iron rail round 

 the roof and a chain to prevent luggage from falling off, or 

 being removed by unauthorised persons. When carrying a full 

 load of luggage on the roof and full complement of passengers, 

 it is a marvel how easily a cab-horse can draw it and take it to 

 a distant destination. 



These vehicles cannot, however, be compared with the 

 hansoms for style, comfort, and finish. A large proportion of 

 them are still coarse, noisy, odoriferous, and jumpy as regards 

 the springs. When, however, it is considered to what uses they 

 are put, some excuse may be offered for their shortcomings. 

 For they take Jack and his mates on their arrival from Sheerness 



