a parish of Middlesex, on the northeast side of London, containing no less than 12 hamlets. At the bottom of Hackney Marsh, through which the river Lea runs, between Old Ford and the Wyck, there have been discovered the remains of a great stone causeway, which, by the Roman coins, &c. found there, was no doubt one of the famous highways made by the Romans. The church here is of a very ancient foundation, so old as Edward II. and the number of houses near 800. That part next London is called Mare Street; the middle Church Street; and the north part Clapton; Dorleton and Shacklewell are on the west, and Hummerton, which leads to the Marsh, on the east. Here are three meeting-houses and several boarding-schools, besides the free-school in the church-yard, a charity-school, and 17 almshouses. It was from this place that the coaches let to the people in London first received their name; for in the last century, many people having gone on visits to see their friends at Hackney, it occasioned them often to hire horses or carriages, so that in time it became a common name for such horses, coaches, and chairs, as were let to the people of London; and the name has now diffused itself not only throughout Britain, but likewise Ireland.

Hackney Coaches, those exposed to hire in the streets of London, and some other great cities, at rates fixed by authority. See Coach.—These first began to ply in the streets of London, or rather waited at inns, in the year 1625, and were only 20 in number; but in 1635 they were so much increased, that king Charles issued out an order of council for restraining them. In 1637, he allowed 50 hackney-coachmen, each of whom might keep 12 horses. In 1652, their number was limited to 200; and in 1654, it was extended to 300. In 1661, 400 were licensed, at 5l. annually for each. In 1694, 700 were allowed, and taxed by the 5 and 6 of W. & M. at 4l. per annum each. By 9 Anne cap. 23, 800 coaches were allowed in London and Westminster; but by 8 Geo. III. cap. 24, the number is increased to 1000, which are to be licensed by commissioners, and to pay a duty of 5l. per week to the king. On Sundays there were formerly only 175 hackney-coaches to ply, which were to be appointed by commissioners; but their number is now unlimited.

The fare of hackney coachmen in London, or within ten miles of the city, is 12 shillings and sixpence per day, allowing 12 hours per day. By the hour it is 1s. 6d. for the first, and 1s. for every hour after; and none are obliged to pay above 1s. for any distance not exceeding a mile and a half; or above 1s. 6d. for any distance not exceeding two miles. Where hackney coachmen refuse to go at, or exact more than, their limited hire, they are subject to a forfeit not under 10s. nor exceeding 3l. and which the commissioners have power to determine. Every hackney-coach must be provided with check strings, and every coachman plying without them incurs a penalty of 5s.—Drivers of hackney-coaches are to give way to persons of quality and gentlemen's coaches, under the penalty of 5l.

The duty arising from licences to hackney-coaches and chairs in London, forms a branch of the king's extraordinary and perpetual revenue *. This revenue is governed by commissioners of its own, and is in truth a benefit to the subject; as the expense of it is felt by no individual, and its necessary regulations have established a competent jurisdiction, whereby a very refractory race of men may be kept in some tolerable order.