CH. Ill POLE 51 



than when all the supports of the body are in one 

 centre line. Since a backward and forward motion 

 of the body is prevented by the attachment of the 

 front ends of the springs, the brake-blocks will not 

 be carried away from the hind wheels in the way 

 that the movement of the shackles of the ordinary 

 springs permits. This arrangement would be prob- 

 ably an improvement in a public-coach and it is 

 necessary for the hind axle of a break which has no 

 perch, since, when there is no perch, the action of the 

 brake brings a great strain on the elliptic springs. 



Pole. — The pole, which fits into the space be- 

 tween the inside futchells, completes the carriage- 

 part. 



There is some difference of opinion among 

 coaching men as to the proportions of the pole. 

 It should obviously be heavier for a public-coach 

 than for a drag, and in all cases should be strong 

 enough to bear safely any strain that can come 

 upon it in going down a hill ; the best of coachmen 

 can hardly avoid an accident if, on a steep hill, a 

 pole breaks. 



In turning round and getting the coach on the 

 lock, the leaders may pull nearly at right angles to 

 the end of the pole, and if anything breaks at such 

 a time, it is better that it should be the pole than 

 some more complicated part of the carriage, as it 

 is the most easily repaired, or than that the coach 

 should be overturned, as might happen upon side- 



