84 BRAKE CH. V 



America it was used early in this century on heavy 

 wagons, and was worked by a handle at the back 

 by the wagoner, who was on foot. 



The majority of Continental carriages and coaches 

 have a wheel by which the brake is applied, but it is 

 too slow in its operation, requiring several turns, 

 and therefore is not nearly so good as the direct 

 acting handle, and, moreover, it is frequently so 

 placed that the coachman has to stoop, or to lean 

 sideways to take hold of it, which is objectionable, 

 since he should not change his position on the box. 



The brake is also sometimes so arranged that it 

 can be worked from the back of the coach by a 

 groom, as well as from the front ; but this is entirely 

 unnecessary, since the coachman should be com- 

 petent to work the brake himself. 



Paris omnibuses use the ' Lemoine brake,' which 

 is worked by the hind wheel itself. On the inner 

 end of the hub of this wheel there is a flanged pulley, 

 round which a hemp cord is passed three or four 

 times. That part of the cord which is on the lower 

 side of the hub is attached directly to the ordinary 

 brake ; the other end passes to a foot lever at the 

 coachman's seat. As long- as the cord is slack, the 

 pulley runs round inside of it freely, but as soon as 

 the forward end of it is tightened by the coachman, 

 the pulley winds up the cord and puts on the brake 

 with great force. The cord, on the side against the 

 pulley, is lined with blocks of wood or leather. It 

 is useful in crowded streets, and it has been applied 



