VARIETIES. 377 



ness of tlie tire and felloes, size of the wheel, strength of 

 the iron work, the stiffness of the springs, materials for 

 the trimmings, the plating, the leather — all should cor- 

 respond with the intended use. A desire for ornament, 

 or a fine appearance, should never lead you to buy a fine 

 carriage for a vehicle of all work. A " shabby gentility" 

 will be the result after the gloss is worn away. If a nice 

 carriage is required for occasional use, while there is 

 also a necessity for driving during bad weather and on 

 bad roads, it is poor economy to try to make one vehicle 

 answer all purposes. A second, more strongly made, 

 with more durable trimmings, must be provided, or the 

 finer one will soon expose your want of judgment. 



VARIETIES OF CARRIAGES. 



The Coach (Figure 55). — All panelled carriages with 

 seats for four persons inside, and an elevated coachman's 

 seat, are designated coaches. The town coach proper, has 

 windows in the doors, and one in each end, the quarters 

 being panelled. The most elegant coaches of this kind have 

 a full sweep in the lower line of the body, although the out- 

 lines are varied to please individual taste. For many pur- 

 poses windows in the quarters are deemed desirable. For 

 country use, leather curtains in the quarters, instead of pan- 

 els, are becoming popular. For cold weather the curtains 

 may be " squabbed " on the inside, and rendered perfectly 

 warm, while, in summer, by rolling up the curtains, the 

 comfort and convenience of an open carriage may be ob- 

 tained. A full sized town coach weighs about 1500 lbs. 

 Price, $900 to $1200. The one from which our figure is 

 taken* is finished in the best style, and would command 

 the highest price. A curtain-quarter coach, for road use, 

 may weigh 1200 lbs. ; price, $750 to $900. 



* From the extensive mauufactory of Messrs. G. & D. Cook, New Haven. 



