subs. (popular).—A prison van or omnibus, used for the conveyance of prisoners: also HER (or HIS) MAJESTY’S CARRIAGE and SABLE MARIA (GROSE). [JULIAN MARSHALL, in Notes and Queries (6 S., vii., 355), suggests that MARIA may be marinated, transported] = Fr. courrier du Palais; panier à salade (= salad basket); courrier de la préfecture; omnibus des pègres (in slang pègre = thief); guimbard (= long cart); service du château.
1877. W. H. THOMSON, Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ii., 61. On alighting from the ‘SABLE MARIA’ we were ushered through a door into a long white-washed passage, with cells on one side and windows on the other.
1880. G. R. SIMS, Three Brass Balls, Pledge xvii. It is the time when ‘BLACK MARIA,’ the prison van, stands waiting at the door, and the signal is given that the prisoners are coming out.
1889. Answers, Feb. 9. There are two kinds of BLACK MARIAS. One is called the night van and the other the day. The passengers politely term them ‘mails.’ The day van holds eighteen, passengers, not including the driver and warder, and the night van a dozen. The vans are divided into two halves, and on each side are small compartments about two feet square with a seat and door, which is carefully locked.
1902. Daily Telegraph, 11 Feb., 10. 7. Upon inquiry, it is not crime, as it is commonly understood, which fills all the BLACK MARIAS, or prison vans, that find their way to the goal.
