'J UK IXJ RODL'CIION 01' CARRfAGRS 7 



tli('S(! new Jtfid stmnge machinos from Germany. 

 J low riov^l ;i(id stranf^f3 thoy wore may he gathered 

 from tlif; pai-ticidar mention thus accorded them 

 in tlie annals of tfie time. When we consider 

 how l)ad was tlie condition evfjn of the streets of 

 London, it will he* ahundantly evident that a 

 desire for disphiy rather than comfort hrought 

 ahout the increasing use of carriages that marked 

 the closing years of Elizaheth's reign. By 1001 

 they had hecome so comparatively numerous that 

 it was sought to ohtain an Act restraining their 

 excessive use and forljidding men riding in them. 

 This proje'cted r)idinance especially set forth the 

 enervating nature of riding in carriages; hut 

 it would seem that the real ohjection was the 

 growing magnificence displayed in this way hy 

 the wealthy, tending to overshadow the puhlic 

 appearances of lloyalty itself. Whatever the real 

 reason of this disahling measure, it was i^ejected 

 on the second reading and never hecame law, 

 and four years later both hackney and private 

 carriages were in common use in London. Carters 

 and waggoners hated them with a Intter hatred, 

 called them "hell-carts," and heaped abuse upon 

 all who usf;d them. Both their primitive con- 

 struction and the fearful condition of the roads 

 rendered their use impossible in the country. 

 Teams of fewer than six horses were rarely seen 

 dj-auijig coaches in what were then regarded as 

 London suburbs, districts long since included in 

 Central London ; and perhaps even the haughty 

 and arrogant Duke of Buckingham, favourite of 



