New-York tribune., 1907-11-27
ORIGIN OF THE oMN1Rrs.

Talking Of omnibuses, which now play so i'm
portant a role in modern life, it may be Of in
terest 10 state that although they seem to have
neen known in the times of the ancient Romans
(slnce a bass relief dating from the reign of the
Caesars may be IN a museum of antiquities a
Dijon, representing a vehicle which is nothing
or less than an omnibus, drawn by two horses,
with the driver snugly seated on the box and the
passengers looking out of the windows). yet they
were unknown in the Middle Ages and were first
revived by the Due de Rohan Paris in the reign
Of Louis XIV by virtue of the latters royal decree.
which called into being the first omnibus COM
pany. with the Due de Rohan as it's president and
the celebrated Pascal of the directors. The
Inauguration Of the enterprise partook of the nat
ure Of a state ceremony, which was attended by
the great digntaries of the court and of the gov
ernment in their robes OF office the drivers of the
dozen Qmnbuses being arrayed in blue hveries.
with tie royal arms embroidered on the stomach
and the city the back. Escorts of cavalry
and of infantry accompanied the omnibuses on their
initial trip together with public crers. who threat
ened on the part of the King severe penalties
against any who should injure the new vehi-
cles, obstruct their progress or annoy the passen
gers. Each Of the coaches was numbered so that
an insolent driver inattentive footman could be
easily brought to book
For time the Parsians delighted with the
new service. But the novelty wore of. the num-
Der of passengers began TO decrease, and within
four years after their introduction the omnibuses
had vanished from the streets Of Paris. not TO
reappear until 1928. Then they proved far more
popular and what served. more tndn anNuHlS
else 10 establish them in the good will of the pub
lie was the role which, after being overturned.
they were able 10 play in the construction of bar
ricades in the Revolution of 1890 which robbed
Charles Y of his crown and landed the Duke of
Orleans on the throne as King Louis Philippe. In
London they made their appearance about the same
time thanks to the enterprise Of a of the
name of shillbeer. celebrated cheap funeral
contractor
ARDEB TO WE'D DUNRAVEN's DAUGHTER
Lord Ardee, who paid prolonged visit to Amer
lea three years ago. and spent the season from
1904 to 1905 in New York, has just become engaged
TO Lady Aileen Wyndham Quin. only surviving
child of Lord Dunraven. She will be remembered
as having accompanied her father on several OF
his trips America, notably in connection with
the races Of his boats, the Valkyries and II. for
the Americas Cup. Lady Aieen IS a little over
thirty and Lord Ardee several years her senior.
He is a lieutenant colonel of the Grenadier Guards,
with which he served with considerable dstlnc
tion throughout the South African war, and is the
eldest and heir of the Earl of Meath. The
latter is the chief of the house of Brabazon, and
makes his principal home at Killruddery, near
Bray, in the County wicklow. whence Sir Walter
Scott a frequent visitor at Killruddery, took his
idea of the novel OF st Romans Well"
Lord Meath is probably the most useful men,
Der of the upper house of the British Legislature
at Westminster. and, together with his countess,
has originated and organized end OF phiian-
thropic enterprises. He is descended from Jacques
de Brabazon surnamed 1.-The Great Warrior"
who. OF the principal Ieutenants OF William
the ConQueror. has hts name recorded such
on the roll Of Battle Abbey The wife Of the
Dean Swift, whose humorous epitaph on her and
her second husband. General Richard Gorges,
entitled Dolly ard Dckie.'' is well known.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.