tiful architecture: and to add to the beauty of the approach from Westminster to Charing Cross, a square or crescent, open to and looking down Parliament Street, might be built round the equestrian statue at Charing Cross, which, at the same time that it would open and enlarge that space, from whence, as before observed, the greatest part of the population of the metropolis meet and diverge, it would afford a magnificent and beautiful termination of the street from Westminster. The lofty situation of Charing Cross, and gradual ascent to it, are peculiarly calculated to produce a grand and striking effect. Such a building might be appropriated to additional offices for the government, which, it is understood, are much wanted; or the Royal Society, Royal Academy, and Antiquarian Society, might be placed there; and the apartments in Somerset House, now occupied by those societies, be appropriated to such public offices as already occupy Somerset Place.

The New Penitentiary, Mill Bank.

THIS building is projected for the incarceration of convicted felons, on the humane principle of renovating the character of the criminal, and eventually of restoring him to society, with the fair hope of rendering him in future a valuable member of it. For this purpose, the culprits are separated from their more or less depraved associates, and subjected to the operation of solitary reflection; which, aided by moral and religious

instruction, and continued labour in works of industry and utility, render the expectation probable, that punishment may secure its legitimate object by reclaiming the offender, and by giving him in due time the inclination and the power of doing good to that community which he had previously injured. We sincerely hope this beneficial effect will accrue from this national establishment, and that the present just complaints of moralists against the usual modes and effects of punishments will be obviated.

As a whole, the projected building is upon a most extensive scale; and, when completed, will be worthy of a great nation. One-third only is erected, and at present contains about 180 convicts. When the plan is completed, it will receive between 11 and 1200.

HACKNEY COACHES.

Their Number.

THE Commissioners may license 800 coaches, by 9 Ann, c. 23; 200 more by 11 Geo. III. c. 24; and 100 more by 42 Geo. III. c. 78. Total, 1100.

By 54 Geo. III. cap. 147, they may license 200 chariots; and by 55 Geo. III. they are empowered to license, if they think fit, 200 more; making 400 chariots.

Size of Horses.

No horse shall be used with a hackney-coach, or chariot, which shall be under 14 hands high.

Number of Passengers.

Coaches are not compellable to take more than four adults in the inside, and a servant out: but if the coach

man agree to take more, the fare will be 18, for each extra person, of whatever age he or she may be, not being a child in arms, or less; and if taken in the country, 18. for going, and 1s. for returning.

By 55 Geo. III. chariots are compellable to take three adults, or grown-up persons, not being children in arms or lap, and a servant on the outside; but if the coachman should agree to carry, or should actually carry, above that number, he shall be paid at the same rate as in the preceding article respecting coaches.

One Horse Chaise.

It will likewise be lawful in the commissioners, with the approbation and direction, in writing, of the lords of his majesty's treasury, or any three or more of them, to license such number of carriages with two wheels, and drawn by one horse, as shall be specified by them, subject to the same laws and regulations as hackney coaches and chariots; and they shall be entitled to demand and take two-thirds of the amount of fares, rates, and benefits, as established by law for hackney coaches and chariots, and not compellable to carry more than two persons.

Abusive Language.

By 9 Ann, c. 23, the drivers of coaches, and carriers of chairs, on demanding more than their fare, or giving abusive language, are to forfeit not more than 51.; and in default of the payment, they are to be sent to the house of correction seven days.

Extortion.

By 1 Geo. I. c. 57, coachmen refusing to go on, or extorting more than their fare, are to forfeit not more than 31., nor less than 10s.

Not only commissioners, but also justices, may determine offences, and inflict punishments.

Returning from the Country.

Coaches hired to go into the country, in the day-time

G G

are to have for their return empty, for ten miles 58., eight miles 48., six miles 3s., and for four miles 28.; but there is no allowance for less than four miles.

Obligation to go.

And they shall be compellable on every day, and at any hour of the night, although they may have been out twelve hours, to go with any person or persons desirous of hiring them, and no more than the regular fare allowed on such occasions.

Deposit for Waiting.

Persons taking coaches to places of public resort, to be kept in waiting, are to pay the coachman a reasonable deposit, to be accounted for when the coach is discharged.

Check String.

The commissioners are to order check-strings to every hackney coach; and every hackney coachman plying without such, shall forfeit 5s.

Coach Stand.

By 11 Geo. III. c. 29, to stand eight feet asunder, and room to be left for waggons, on penalty of 208.

Inspection.

By 39 and 40 Geo. III. c. 47, the commissioners may appoint inspectors of hackney coaches and horses, and suspend the license of any person whose coach shall be defective or horses unfit; and may annul licenses if the inspectors are refused to examine coaches.

Hackney coachmen, whose coaches are standing in the streets, although off the stand, are compellable to go with any person desirous of hiring them; and, in case of refusal, are liable to be fined, unless they prove they were hired at the time. And in case of leaving their coaches unattended, whether hired or not, are liable to a penalty not exceeding 51. 5. - *.

Not Stage Coaches.

By 48 Geo. 3. c. 87, hackney coaches are not to ply for promiscuous passengers when returning from the country, on pain of not exceeding 31., nor less than 208.; but this is not to prevent their taking up regular fares.

Tickets or Certificates.

By the last act, the clause relative to tickets is repealed.

Option of Fares or Distance.

Fares to be calculated for time or distance, at the option of the coachmán, and not by the day, as heretofore.

Agreement for more than the regular Fare not binding.

No agreement to pay more than the regular fare is binding any person may, notwithstanding such agreement, refuse to pay more than the established fare; and if he pay more, he may recover the overplus, the driver being subject to a penalty of 51. for non-payment.

Time of Sunset.

As the period of sunset has been found constantly liable to dispute, it is therefore now regulated, that the sunset hours shall be after eight in the evening between Lady-day and Michaelmas, and after five in the evening between Michaelmas and Lady-day; and the backcarriage, after such hours, shall be taken to the carriageway pavement, or next standing beyond which the coach was hired from, (if hired at any stand off the said pavement,) at the full fare back to either, at the option of the party discharging.

How Property left in Coaches or Chariots is to be disposed of.

The drivers of hackney coaches, wherein any property is left, shall carry such property, in the state in which it was found, within four days, to the Hackneycoach-office, and deposit the same with one of the clerks, under a penalty not exceeding 201.