TRIMMINGS — TRA CTION— BALANCE. 73 



the utmost importance that each coat of varnish should thor- 

 oughly harden before succeeding ones are added. The 

 proper time for painting monograms or blazoning coats of 

 arms is before the finishing coat of varnish has been laid on ; 

 but, as few carriages are built to order, the monograms or 

 crests are painted over the finishing coat and then lightly 

 varnished. 



TRIMMINGS. 



The tendency is now to do away with all the more per- 

 ishable trimmings, such as lacework, etc., and leather is used 

 for lining in many instances in preference to cloth. The box 

 seats of broughams, victorias, etc., are cloth covered, made 

 perfectly even, and given a slight forward pitch. Formerly 

 the seat of the coachman was raised above that of the sfroom 

 by a box. The color of the cloth with which the seat is cov- 

 ered should be determined by the color of the livery. 



TRACTION. 



In purchasing a vehicle, whether a four-wheeler or a cart, 

 the principles of the laws governing traction should be borne 

 in mind, the chief of which are, the smaller the wheels (ex- 

 cept in ascending hills) and the greater the distance between 

 the front and the hind wheels, the heavier the draught; the 

 power is diminished in multiple ratio as it is removed from 

 the weight upon which it acts, hence an extended under-car- 

 riage is objectionable as it forces the horses farther from 

 their work. 



BALANCE. 



In all two-wheelers it is essential that they should be heav- 

 ier in proportion than four-wheelers, for the sake of obtaining 

 stability. The most important qualification that all of these 



