278 3I0DERX FAPvRIER. 



the possibility of stopping it. A very considerable 

 defijree of danger is also attached to the present 

 mode of hanofinij stage-coaches. Formerly thev 

 were suspended by a pei^pendicular spring at each 

 corner : but the present system is to fix them with 

 horizontal springs under the bodv. 



In the former mode, when the wheels ^rere soing 

 on the side of a road, and v^ere consecnientlv in a 

 slanting or oblique position, the body still preserved 

 its perpendicular direction by the sx^in^^ing of the 

 braces, and therefore did not inchne sideways at the 

 roof, as is the case when it is fixed upon springs 

 bearing onlv on the centre : for whenever the car- 

 riage is going with one wheel higher than the other, 

 the body is not only obliged to take the same direc- 

 tion, but absolutely hangs over more than the 

 wheels, in consequence of its meeting with no sup- 

 port at the sides ; and there is certainly a peculiar 

 providence protecting these vehicles, when all these 

 circumstances are taken into consideration. 



Drivers commit a cruel error who force their 

 horses to trot up a hill in order to gain time, and 

 whip them when near the summit in order to in- 

 crease their speed. Were they allowed a few mo- 

 ments for the recover}' of their wind, they would 

 proceed with greater ease and rapidity upon level 

 ground. In stage and mail-coaches it is seldom 

 that four horses are equally matched in speed and 

 vrind ' and the consequence generally is. that an 

 inferior horse, when yoked with stronger animals, is 

 completely knocked up. and not unfi-equently drops 

 down dead on the road. Many coachmen have also 

 a bad habit of pulling up suddenly v.hen on the 

 gallop : such an improper practice exposes the joints 

 of a horse to the risk of dislocation, or even to frac- 

 \uTe the bone. 



The brutality of some coachmen, but particularly 

 carmen, is notorious, and deserves the severest re- 

 prehension. 



