d will not hire men who need
or may ask for it, such being against the laws of their particular
association. For a loss of time they are fined 2s. 6d., and for a second
or third offence, suspended from a week's employment, or else dismissed.
Against stringent rules of this kind we should take no objection, were
the hours of labour in any degree of reasonable length; in that case,
stringency would be doubly effective, both as regarded the interest of
the proprietary and public convenience."

"Looking at this preposterous amount of daily labour, and the evils
which, directly and indirectly, must flow therefrom, in relation to
pauperism, crime, and a low average of life, we should expect to find
omnibus labour highly remunerated. Yet such is not the case. On some
roads the drivers receive no more than from twelve to fifteen shillings
for the work of seven days; and out of this they are compelled by their
employers to pay six shillings weekly as beer-money to horse-keepers and
stable-keepers. Of course, with wages at so low a par, and so much
reduced by outgoings, men would scarcely be found willing to undertake
this week's work of a hundred and twelve hours, unless each driver were
allowed, as is the case, the privilege of an outside passenger, on the
box beside him, each distance he drives, whether the fare be sixpence or
threepence. Each driver drives ten or twelve distances per day, each
distance to and fro being about six miles; and thus, in fine weather,
when the generality of male passengers prefer the outside, and the
coach-box is sure of an occupant, the driver's perquisites may mount up
to a fair weekly sum. But in wet and bad weather the case is very
different, and these men drive the whole day through without a single
passenger. This may possibly account for the variable temper of
omnibus-drivers, who, reversing the ordinary process of things, are surly
in fine, and courteous in wet weather, and, caring nothing for patronage
whilst the sun shines, grow civil in times of frost and rain, and
proffer, with parental solicitude, cape, wrapper, and apron.

"Though acting in a more responsible capacity, the conductors, unlike the
drivers, are only daily servants, and liable, and often subject to,
dismissal, at a moment's notice. Men once thus dismissed are rarely
employed as conductors again, it being a rule with these combined
proprietors never to employ a man in this capacity who has acted as
conductor in an