The Death of the Cukricle. 539 



more may be packed in for a short journey. Its luggage-holding powers are enormous ; and 

 instances have been recorded where a very good sleeping apartment for a couple of tired 

 sportsmen has been arranged in a four-wheeled Perth cart. 



There are also a considerable number of dog-cart variations of the American type, with 

 the improvement of a complete lock-under, built expressly for lightness, strength, and high 

 speed. The best type of these was constructed for Captain Oliver, a Northamptonshire sportsman, 

 who after an accident, which prevented him from riding for a season, took to hunting on wheels ; 

 he did not confine himself to high roads or parish roads, but occasionally turned into " the 

 open," and is even accused of having successfully charged more than one gap in a hedge 

 with a ditch on the taking off side. 



It is scarcely necessary to observe that the machines for effecting such feats must be 

 constructed with the very best materials and workmanship. 



Amongst the eccentricities of sporting carriages, the " boat carriage," invented for the use 

 of luxurious Highland and island sportsmen, must not be omitted. Mounted on four wheels, 

 it may be used as an ordinary driving carriage, or with post horses to reach some remote 

 loch or firth ; then the body launched is a stout gig — nautical, not equestrian — fully equipped 

 with oars and sails. 



TWO-WHEELED CARRIAGES. 



The oldest carriages of which we have any historical or pictoral record were on two 

 wheels. Egyptian and Assyrian sculptures, the chronicles of the Old Testament, and the 

 poems of Homer, all prove that the use of chariots preceded that of cavalry in war. Egyptian 

 and Assyrian kings are represented in bas-reliefs preserved in the British Museum, and 

 copied in the Crystal Palace, doing battle, hunting wild beasts, and taking part in processions 

 in two-wheeled chariots. 



THE CURRICLE. 



At the period when the heroes of Miss Austen and Miss Fanny Burney paid their state 

 visits in "chariots and six," the most fashionable town-carriage was the curricle. Amongst the 

 other extravagances reported of the nabobs of the period was an order in Long Acre of " a 

 few curricles for the spring." Mr. Felton, in the book already quoted, describes and gives 

 pictures of no less than four curricles and gig curricles, with contrivances for occasionally 

 using one horse only, or on very narrow roads shafts, and a leader ridden by a postillion, 

 and not one four-wheeled one-horse phaeton fit for modern use. 



The curricle — with a body something like that of its successor the cabriolet — hung on 

 C springs, on two wheels, drawn by a pair of horses perfectly matched in size, colour, quality, 

 and step ; the harness profusely decorated with silver ornaments, united by a silver bar, 

 which supported a silver-mounted pole ; preceded or followed by two grooms, mounted on 

 another pair of horses equally well matched with the first, secured the driver and his com- 

 panion — frequently a lady — a superb effect, which combined the maximum of expense with 

 the minimum of convenience. Four horses and two grooms to carry two persons ! After a 

 time economical reasons prevailed, and, at some sacrifice of contour and elegance, the horses 

 of the two grooms were dispensed with, and they were provided for in a sort of rumble behind 

 the curricle, which was not without use in balancing the pole and taking the weight from 

 the backs of the horses. 



The mail phaeton as improved, and the cabriolet as perfected, killed the curricle. These, 



