OR, The Turn Out. 83 



buildmg is the Collin ge Axle, invented in 1792, and by 

 means of whicli wheels only require to be oiled once in 

 several months. The other great improvement is the Eliptic 

 Spring, patented in 1804 by Obadiah Elliot, and by means 

 of wjiich carriage travelling is made more comfortable, and 

 the labour of the horses much lighter. The Collinge Axle, 

 although it obviates the necessity for frequent lubrication, 

 does not dispense with it entirely. The axle of all vehicles, 

 whether those of carriages or carts, should be regularly 

 oiled or lubricated, as it not only renders the labour of the 

 horse much less, but preserves the axle and wheel from 

 wearing so rapidly. It not infrequently hnppens that 

 through the axle not being regularly lubricated it becomes 

 uneven, and both it and the hub of the wheel wear out 

 much sooner than they would do if carefully and regularly 

 attended to. 



Care should be taken on the return from a journey to see 

 the vehicle is properly washed, and that all soil, sand, or grit 

 is removed from the axle, as it is very apt to get into the 

 hub and grind either it or the axle into grooves or ruts, 

 which if not noticed in time may lead to serious accident. 

 In order to prevent break-downs, or spills, the vehicle should 

 be regularly inspected and kept in good repair. It is a 

 bad plan to leave vehicles exposed to the weather ; they 

 should, therefore, be kept under cover when not in use, as 

 the sun not only spoils the paint and varnish, but shrinks 

 the wood to such an extent as to render travelling in a 

 carriage long exposed dangerous, as very frequently after 

 long exposure to the sun's rays the tires become loose. For 

 this reason it is not always safe to purchase a second-hand 

 carriage, as such are often exposed in open yards and 

 places without any cover from the sun and elements, and 

 before it can be made sound and comfortable or safe, a greater 

 expense has to be incurred than would have purchased a 

 substantial new carriage. It is no uncommon thing for old ram- 

 shackle traps to be painted up and sold — "a bargain ! " but the 

 unfortunate purchaser finds, after spending pounds upon it 

 without being able to make it comfortable and secure, that the 

 bargain is anything but a bargain to him, and he is very glad 

 to sell it for very much less than he gave for it. 



Our suggestions are endorsed by Mr. Phillipson, who is 

 not only an authority upon the subject by virtue of his 

 publications, but from the fact that he is a very extensive 

 carriage builder.* 



• Attkinson & Phillipson, Newcaatle-on-Tyne. See Advertisement. 



