The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-21
LONDON'S TRANSIT SYSTEM.
Cabs That Are Expensive and Buses
That Are Cheap.
ShiIlings Go Fast if You Ride in Han
soms-'Busses Are Uncomfort-
able and Common.

"Take the yellow bus down to OK
ford street, and there change to the blue
bus. Be sure you don't take the green
one, for that is three ha'pence, and the
blue is only a penny. Then from Char
ing Cross take the pink bus down to
Fenchurch street, and you'll not have
more than half mile to walk. Bear
along to the left land take the third
turning"
That is a fair sample of London direc-
tons. Take the yellow bus, or the blue
bus, is always the first thing; then
change to some other bus, and walk
long distance, and there you are. 1t soon
becomes tiresome when you have great
antipathy to the London buses. There
must be New Workers still living, octo-
genarians and such advanced persons,
who remember the stages that once
formed a considerable part of the 'traf-
f1c' of Broadway. Those stages were
models of comfort and convenience COM
pared with the London bus. In my
honest desire to say something pleasant
about these London monstrosities, the
only thing I can think Of is that they
are better than our Fifth avenue stages.
But that is merely because nothing could
possibly be worse.
In this place, where, on account of
the vast population and the great dis
tances, the means Of local transit should
be the most expeditions and most COM
Portable in the world, they are far worse
than in any other city l have seen. Any
10000 inhabitant city in our far West
has much better transit facilities. But
the London bus is an Institutions; and
Institution here is spelled with a big l,
and lasts through the ages. Never mind
the crowding at the gates next time you
take an elevated train, Mr.. Manhattan;
be thankful for the mercies that have
been vouchsafed you.
There are only three methods of
transit in London-for the few trans"
or street cars, are in such out-of-the-
way places that they hardly need to be
considered The hanson cab is the
first and most expensive, the bus comes
next, and the underground railway is the
third.
UBIQUITOUS HANSON CABS.
The hanson is one of the greatest
temptations that the American in Lon
don has to struggle against. 1t is ever
present, ever ready to welcome one with
an American. You come out Of an of
flee and wish to go to another a mile
away. The bus will carry you there
for a penny, but then you must walk
four or five blocks to catch the bus, and
perhaps four OF five more at the other
end of the line. Most likely 1t is rain
ing, and the streets are dangerous with
buttery mud. There stands Hanson
No. 1897, and the driver is looking at
YOU. You feel the loose shilfings in your
vest pocket and hesitate moment, and
then you are lost. Up goes your finger
"Hansomi" you say, with your finger
still up. But not at all in the way you
said It when you first arrived. You have
heard the London way, and try to imi-
tate 1t. The word comes out sharp and
quick, as if you were speaking to your
own coachn1an at so much month; ana
instantly cabby's hand goes up to show
that he understands, and he starts for
you. If there happen to be two ham
SONS close together, and both drivers
catch the signal at once, there is race,
and pedestrians must look out for them
selves.
WRESTLING FOR CABBY.
When you are in your own house,
which with an American usually means
a lodging house or one Of the BOARD
and residence places where they call
you a paying guest Gas you are, at the
price,, and want a hanson, you do not
go out to look for it or send servant.
You simply go to the hat rack and take
down the whistle that hangs there by
a little chain. Standing on the front
steps, you blow the whistle, and within
a few seconds you hear a horses hoofs
Gathering over the asphalt street, and
cabby holds up his hand in answer. In
the lodging house districts it is no I'M
usual thing to hear half dozen WhiS-
ties blowing at once. The whistles are
largely Americans Of course, so new
TO London that they do not know how
soon the dreadful hanson habit can
scatter fortune.
But here, at any rate, is the hanson
While you have one foot on the step
cabby leans down inquiringly, and you
tell him where you wish to go. Buck
ingham Palace; and drive fast; the
Prince is waiting for me-" VERY
good, sir!" says cabby, and moves a
lever by his side that closes the fold
ing doors Of the cab. Off he goes like
the wind, his horse running sometimes,
sometimes only trotting fast The
sooner he can earn your fare and be
rid of you, the better chance of catch
ing another customer.
In moment you find that your coat
Is well wiped with mud, having scraped
against the wheel. You also notice
that with every step the horse splashes
mud upon you over the little doors,