[Note 378.1] The London and Greenwich Railway Company was the first to have a terminal in London. It received parliamentary approval on May 17 1833
[Note 378.2] George Shillibeer introduced omnibuses (which he had seen in Paris) to Britain. On 4 July 1829 he started a three-horse vehicle along the new road from Paddington Green to the Bank via Islington. His omnibuses carried twenty passengers all inside, charging high middle-class fares - a shilling all the way; six pence half way. [Ref. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]
This cartoon is dated 1831 and refers to his employment of French speakers [See Note 378.3]
[Note 378.3] Like many others with a vested interest in horse powered transport, Shillibeer emaphisied the dangers of steam locomotives
[Note 378.4] The following letter appeared in Mechanics Magazine Volume 21 p329 1834
ROUND-TIRE WHEELS OBJECTIONABLE,
"Then of the exterior I safely may say
There never was yet any carriage more gay;
While the round-tire wheels make it plainly appear,
That there's none ran so light as the smart Shillibeer
Sir,—The above extract from a doggrel advertisement of the celebrated omnibus-man, refers to an opinion, very prevalent of late among unscientific roadsters, that wheels with convex or semicircular tires run lighter than those equipped with tires of the usual flat cylindrical form.
If our roads were infinitely smooth and hard, no doubt wheels of the form in question would run very light ; but in the present state of roads—good as they now are—it must be evident to all who carefully consider the matter, that cylindrical faced wheels are best. The round-tire wheels cut into the road much deeper than flat ones, and have a greater hill constantly before them. The omnibus in question is not the only vehicle that is equipped in the manner stated ; several stage-coaches, and some of the mails, are furnished with round•tire wheels. On looking at an Exeter mail the other day, I observed that one of the hind-wheels, with round tire, had been locked and dragged down a bill, which had ground the tire quite flat in that particular place, and this must always occur under like circumstances, from the small quantity of surface supporting the weight and exposed to the grinding action. By the use of a shoe, however, this could easily be guarded against, but there are many other objections not so soon obviated.
.....
William Baddeley
Probably William Baddeley (c1806-1867)
[Note 378.5] Tailors strike. The Grand National Conosolidated Trades' Union was based on London trades and especially the tailors. They struck in April 1834. [Ref: Parssinen T.M. and Prothero I.J. The London Tailors' Strike of 1834 and the Collapse of the Grand National Consolidated Trades' Union: A Police Spy's Report.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020859000005423Published 18 December 2008]
[Note 378.6] The phrase "A la Francaise, conducteur, a Mons. Shillibeer" is a reference to Shillibeer's practice of employing French speaking staff. The British aristocracy's love of things French survived the Napoleonic Wars and French speaking staff were intended as a sign of refinement.
French people fled to England during the Revolution. There were forty thousand in Britain by end of 1800 [Ref Murray, Venetia. High Society : A Social History of the Regency Period, 1788-1830]
The picture below shows one of his conductors attending passengers
[Note 378.7] The line opened in 1836 and copied the word "omnibus" from Shillibeer by offering "Omnibus or Open Carriage" fares of 6d. It was one of the first lines to offer season tickets and helped to establish the habit of commuting between home and workplace.
[Ref : http://www.yellins.com/transporthistory/rail/l-and-g.html]