WHAT Berrow's Journal described as "Motor Mania" was clearly gripping the nation at this time a century ago as more and more "automobiles" began appearing on English roads.

Crowquill, in his Journal comment column for this week of 1903, wrote: "Motor Mania is a disease which appears to be every day coming more and more infectious, and though several of the more important purchases were made early in the season, the commencement of the holidays appears to have given the trade a fresh impetus.

"The King, during his recent visit to Paris, purchased a 24 h.p. Darracq, which was delivered last week. Lord Cadogan has just purchased a Napier touring car, and the Marquess of Londonderry has recently paid £1,000 for a Daimler.

"Lord Dudley drives a Panhard on his explorations in the West of Ireland. One of the local papers assures us that when passing an old woman who had never before seen a motor, she shook her apron at him, saying 'Sure it's the Devil himself that's coming!'

"The Duke of Bedford has a touring car on order with the Napier company, and our Prime Minister, Mr Balfour is having a car made by the same manufacturers. It is to be painted a peculiar shade of olive green, the same as his private carriages.

"The Duke of Connaught has been guilty of a serious breach of War Office traditions by driving his Napier car at the military manoeuvres, and Lord Salisbury enjoys the evening of his life in steering an American automobile in the Hatfield neighbourhood.

"Sir Thomas Lipton," (presumably the tea tycoon) "when in town, goes to business in a Daimler, and Mrs Langtry" (the famous actress) "drives to the stage door on an electric landaulette."

But elsewhere in the same 1903 Journal edition was an arresting letter to the Editor under the heading, "The Motor Car Peril Again."

Hansom Cab proprietor W. King of 15 St Nicholas Street, Worcester wrote: "I have lately had a narrow escape from being run down and killed by a motor car, and it is due to the public to make the facts known through your paper's influential columns, as what happened to me a few days ago may happen to others tomorrow.

"I was driving down Powyke Hill when suddenly there came in sight a motor car coming from the direction of Worcester, and rushing down the hill at great speed. The car held the crown of the road, the driver evidently expecting that all other vehicles would make way for it. Make way, I did, perforce, but with not a second to spare. Just in time to save my life I pulled my horse aside while the car flew down the middle of the road.

"Now sir, how long is this abominable tyranny to continue? By what right do persons whose means enable them to own or hire a motor car tyrannise over their fellow countrymen and trifle with their lives?

"The road belongs to the poor as much as to the rich. If Englishmen continue tamely to give up their rights to the rich and titled, they are very different from the Englishmen of old!"

However, Mr King's views were sharply countered the following week by a letter from someone signing himself anonymously as "Green with Red Wheels":-

"Mr King's letter shows that he was in no danger whatsoever, though it suggests that he was, at first, on the wrong side of the road, like so many horse drivers. His appeal to class animosity is an unworthy one. The truth is that a motor, properly driven, is the safest of all vehicles. I am not rich and find a motor, mile for mile, far cheaper than a horse, since I am my own mechanic."