486 CARRIAGES. 



necessitate rfestoration at least twelve months prior to the usual season 

 for that renovating process. 



A good coach-house should neither by door nor by window communi- 

 cate with the stable. Such openings are usually present in most London 

 buildings, and are evidently allowed either from thoughtlessness or from 

 a greater feeling for the servant's convenience than regard for that which 

 the servant is engaged to keep in order. The fumes of the stable prin- 

 cipally consist of ammonia or of the volatile alkali. These emanations, 

 from manure made pungent by the exclusion of atmospheric air, are 

 very insidious in their effects, and are much more destructive than either 

 of the fixed anti-acids, potash or soda. 



Most coachmen are aware that the employment of soap, in any form, 

 is injurious to paint and to varnish. Soap, however, is a salt, or consists 

 of an alkali, which is neutralized or combined with a fatty acid. Still 

 alkali, even in this shape, should not be applied to any conveyance. 

 The idea of dissolving potash or soda in water, and then employing the 

 liquid to cleanse the family carriage, appears to be so preposterous as to 

 be rejected even by the ingenious ignorance of the stable. But a single 

 application of the last agents would do less damage than the long ex- 

 posure of a vehicle to the more penetrating fumes of gaseous ammonia. 



Another subject of much importance to the carriage interest — but 

 one not generally considered by the majority of proprietors — is the kind 

 of water with which the stable is supplied. Coachmen commonly think 

 to counteract the ill effects of bad water upon the horses, by exposing 

 pails filled with the liquid, for some hours, within the tainted interior of 

 the stable. But the fluid is more likely to become foul from the impuri- 

 ties which it can there absorb, than for the action of ammoniacal gas to 

 amend the properties or to correct the evil qualities of the Uquid. 



Hard water, especially that which is impregnated with a solution of 

 any mineral substance, is equally prejudicial to the health of animals and 

 to the beauiy of vehicles. Such should never be employed in any stable. 

 Soft water or river water is alone suited for either purpose. Pipe water, 

 or water which has traveled far in leaden tubes, is frequently impure ; 

 while pump or well water should always be avoided. 



This may to many readers appear a trivial matter to be so energeti- 

 cally enforced ; but as all the comforts of life are only secured by atten- 

 tion to those particulars which surround existence, certainly the pocket 

 of the master is concerned in the conditions to which his carriage is 

 exposed. 



Many gentlemen, however, will permit the servants to ruin the best- 

 made carriage, and then blame the builder, because his work is capable 

 of being abused. When the family returns home at midnight, sfter the 



