What Is a Hackney Cab?

Part 2 of my guide to Dukes Prefer Blondes (originally posted at Two Nerdy History Girls).

The Last Cab-Driver

My characters in Dukes Prefer Blondes spend time in hackney coaches and hackney cabs. You will often find the terms used interchangeably, as though they were the same thing. However, a hackney cab was quite a different article from a hackney coach. The cab was a two-wheeled, one-horse vehicle. It held only two passengers, and seemed to be generally regarded as a mode of transportation for those who liked to live dangerously. It was called a "coffin cab"  not merely on account of its coffin-like shape.

Leigh’s New Picture of London for 1834 briefly explains the difference here. You can read about them here in Omnibuses and Cabs, Their Origin and History, which includes excerpts from Dickens’s lively descriptions.

1823 Hackney cab

I’ve written a bit more about hackney coaches here, and you can read Dickens’s full version (which originally appeared in Bell’s Life in London in November 1835) here in Sketches by Boz.

Images:
Cruikshank, “The Last Cabdriver", illustration in Sketches by Boz; 1823 cab, from Omnibuses and Cabs.

What Is the Heptaplasiesoptron?

Part 1 of my Guide to Dukes Prefer Blondes

Vauxhall Gardens, which existed 1661-1859, was a famous pleasure garden in Lambeth, on the south bank of the Thames.

While, sadly, I haven’t found any images of the Heptaplasiesoptron yet (still hoping), I have found several descriptions.

From The Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol 131 (1822):

Monday, June 3.  1822
...the principal novelty is of a more expensive kind; it is called in the bills " The Heptaplasiesoptron" and is formed at one extremity of the saloon. It consists of an illuminated area, with revolving pillars, around which are entwined serpents, shaded under the foliage of palm trees. The centre is occupied by a cooling fountain; and looking-glasses, skilfully placed in the back-ground, reflect both the ornamental objects and the spectators with something approaching to magnificence of effect.

From Real Life in London, Or, The Rambles and Adventures of Bob Tallyho, Esq ...
 By Pierce Egan, William Heath, Henry Thomas Alken (1821):

But the grand subject of their admiration was what is rather affectedly called “The Heptaplasiesoptron,” or fancy reflective proscenium, which is placed in the long room fronting the orchestra of the Rotunda. It is entirely lined with looking glass, and has in all probability originated in the curious effect produced by the kaleidoscope, and the looking glass curtains lately exhibited at our theatres. This splendid exhibition is fitted up with ornamented draperies, and presents a fountain of real water illuminated, revolving pillars, palm trees, serpents, foliage, and variegated lamps; and the mirrors are so placed as to reflect each object seven times. This novelty appeared to excite universal admiration, inspiring the company with ideas of refreshing coolness. The bubbling of water, the waving of the foliage, and the seven times reflected effulgence of the lamps, gave the whole an appearance of enchantment, which sets all description at defiance.

Images: Cruikshank, "Tom, Jerry, and Logic make the most of an Evening at Vauxhall", from Life in London 1821. Advertisement for Juvenile Fetefrom Theatrical Observer and Daily Bills of the Play, 1822
 

Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays

W. C. Bauer, Christmas Eve

Despite the very best intentions, I tend to be slow in responding to my readers' emails. This is partly because writing books is an extremely slow process for me, and partly because of other demands in the business of being a writer, and partly because I'm disorganized and easily distracted. And so I mean to answer that same day or the next and before I know it, months have passed. 

Yes, it's peculiar, but the writing process doesn't necessarily go more quickly and efficiently with experience, nor does maturity improve organizational skills. In my case, it's the opposite. Still,  I do reply eventually—perhaps long after Patient Reader has forgotten about the matter altogether.

This is not a general reply to all the not-yet-answered messages. I only wanted to take a moment to thank you for being my patient readers and to wish you a perfect holiday season and a beautiful New Year.

Let's hope for peace. It would be such a splendid change, wouldn't it?

The image is "Christmas Eve," by W.C. Bauer, from sometime in the 1800s, courtesy  Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.