THE TRIBUS.

In pursuance of our original plan to place before our readers at the earliest opportunity, engravings illustrative of the newest designs and most recent improvements in everything affecting our social condition and public convenience, we present the annexed cuts of a new patent Street carriage, called a Tribus, which has just made its appearance in the metropolis, and which recommends itself to public patronage by many advantages which the street cabs at present in use do not possess.
    The tribus is a two-wheeled vehicle, and, as the name indicates, is adapted for the accommodation of three persons. The entrance is from behind, as in an omnibus, by which a greater facility of ingress and egress is afforded. In cases of accident also, the readiness with which,by this arrangement, an escape can be effected must be obvious. The driver sits behind, and by this means the balance of the vehicle is more equally adjusted, all ricketty motion prevented, and the weight entirely kept off the horse's back. He is also enabled to open and shut the door without removing from his seat, and additional security is given to the passengers who are immediately under his protection, while at the same time the most perfect command of the reins is secured. There are two windows in front, one behind, and two at the sides, thus combining the advantages of a covered and an open carnage.
    The interior is fitted up in a style more like the appointments of a private carriage than a vehicle of public conveyance. A red lamp is placed at night in front to prevent the danger of collision. There is also a very novel and simple mode of communicating with the driver from the inside, by which instructions can be conveyed in the most rapid and effectual manner, without the least inconvenience. Should a shaft break, the horse fall, or any other accident occur, to which all vehicles are liable, there is a safety wheel in front, which prevents the body of the carriage from coming down, and thus interposes for the safety both of the horse and the passengers.
    Mr Harvey of Lambeth-house, Westminster Bridge-road, is the patentee of this carriage. The Tribus, which is at present to be seen at the Bazaar in Baker-street, will shortly take its "stand" for public approval, and we have no doubt that, from its superior accommodation, safety, and elegance, it will take precedence of, if not entirely supersede, all other vehicles of a similar class at present in use.

from The Illustrated London News, 1844

THE NEW CURRICLE TRIBUS

THIS new public carriage, patented by Mr. Harvey, of Lambeth House . . . .  it is open in front, like Hansom's patent cab, and has seats for three persons; the driver sitting at the right-hand corner behind, and the conductor to the left of the door.

Illustrated London News, October 14, 1848

 . . . the " tribus," and other wild vehicles which immediately succeeded the extinction of the old cabriolet, which had their trial, and then passed away as failures.

Edmund Yates, The Business of Pleasure, 1879