in a most unsatisfactory state. Most people avoid using these street
vehicles whenever they can, and this is especially true of strangers.
We can state as a fact, that a provincial gentleman of our
acquaintance is accustomed to take the inconvenience of the cab-system
into account in deliberating whether he shall have a month of London
life or not. It is one of the repelling considerations, to a degree
that the Londoners themselves are not aware of.

In an age of such exquisite contrivance and precision in mechanical
and commercial matters, it might have been anticipated that the bad
system of London cabs could not long survive. All dishonest businesses
write their own doom. Those only thrive which sincerely seek the good
of the public. Accordingly, it is not surprising, at a time when
one-and-a-half per cent. is a fact in banking, to find two large and
powerful companies getting up to supersede the bad, old, dear,
cheating cabs with a new and civilised set. It is proposed by one of
these bodies to 'provide for the public a superior class of carriages,
horses, and drivers, at reduced and definite fares; to afford the
utmost possible security for property, and especially prompt and easy
redress of complaints.' With better vehicles at three-fourths of the
present charges--namely, 6d. a mile--and these to be settled for in a
manner which will preclude disputes, this company deserves, and will
be sure to obtain, the public patronage. One good feature of the
proposed arrangements will, we think, be highly satisfactory: the
company will form a sufficient magistracy in itself to give quick and
easy redress in the case of any wrong. But, indeed, from the
precautions taken as to the employment of drivers, and the hold which
the company will have over them, through the medium of guarantee and
their own deposits in a benefit-fund, it seems to us that the good
conduct of the men towards their 'fares' must be effectually secured.