Information. 6. CABS. 25
Lavatories, etc. — The Chalets de Necessite or de Commodite,
which are liberally distributed throughout Paris, are generally well-
kept (5-15 c). Some are provided with washing requisites. — At
the Palais Royal: Rue St. Honore 155, near the omnibus-station;
in the interior, in the Peristyle Joinville 28, near the theatre.
Jardin des Tuileries, at either end of the Alme des Orangers, on the
Rue de Rivoli side. Boulevards: Passage de l'Opera, Galerie du
Baiometre 9; Passage des Princes 14bis; Passage Jouffroy 43, near
the Boul. Montmartre; Boul. Bonne-Nouvelle 40 (Gymnase Theatre).
Champs-Elysees, at the bottom, on the right, Avenue Gabriel; also
farther up, on the right. Luxembourg Gardens, between the main
Allee and the Boul. St. Michel, and to the right, behind the Muse'e.
Pare Monceau, in the rotunda, Boul. de Courcelles. Also at all the
Railway Stations. — The nearest policeman will give information.
6. Conveyances.
Paris has led the way in modern methods of transport. In 1662,
if not earlier, under Louis XVI., coaches, called 'fiacres', plied for
hire, the name being derived from the Auberge de St. Fiacre,
situated in the street of the same name. An attempt to organize a
regular service of omnibuses also was made at that period, but
sucess in this direction was not achieved until 1827-28. London
followed suit in 1829. Since the year 1900 new electric and other
tramways have been opened in large numbers, besides, of course,
the Metropolitain (p. 28).
1. Cabs. The number of cabs in Paris (Voitures de Place or
Fiacres) is about 15,000. The most numerous are the open cabs
(voitures decouvertes; closed in winter), or victorias, with seats for
two, or three, including the vacant seat on the box, or the small
folding front seat (strapontin) with which most of the victorias are
furnished. These third seats can be occupied only with the consent
of the driver (which is practically a matter of course). Only vehicles
with four inside seats are provided with a railing on the top for
luggage (voitures a galerie; comp. p. 1), but the drivers of the others
never refuse to carry a reasonable amount of luggage on the box.
The fare by day (6, in winter 7, a.m. to 12.30 p.m.) for a single
drive (course) within the fortifications, no matter what the distance
(tariff and regulations, see Appendix, p. 41), is iy2 fr. and 25 c.
pourboire (50 c. if the 'strapontin' is used). Short drives are there¬
fore rather expensive, but for longer distances it is worth while to
take a cab in preference to the dilatory omnibus. The charge by
the hour (2 fr.) is also very moderate, and is on that account not
popular with the drivers. Although they are legarlly bound to con¬
form to it they are always ready with some evasive pretext.
The carriage - lamps are coloured differently according to the
Depot to which the cab belongs (see Appx., p. 41). It is important
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