CH. V BASKET 93 



top of the wheel when it is used for the hind 

 roof-seats. The length of the ladder should be 

 carefully considered. If it is too long it will be 

 difficult to use it from a kerb, and for this reason 

 it is better to have it as short as will do on a flat 

 road. On a drag it is best carried on two hooks 

 under the rumble-seat; on a public-coach it is hung 

 under the hind boot, since it would hide the lettering 

 on the back panel were it under the seat. 



A basket, for umbrellas and sticks 

 (Fig. 52), is fastened on the near side, to 

 the iron of the back roof-seat. It is 27 

 inches long, 10 inches in diameter, and 

 has a flat side which lies against the 

 panel. For a public-coach, it has usually 

 a division, making a small place in which 

 the horn, with its bell up, is carried. The 

 lower end of the basket is strapped to the handle 

 which is on the edge of the body. 



While a basket is essential to a public-coach, it is 

 doubtful whether it is worth while to carry one on a 

 drag, when not on a journey. It does not improve 

 the appearance of the coach as seen from behind ; 

 it widens it out and detracts from its ' smart' look ; 

 and since a stop can be made at any time, the um- 

 brellas can readily be taken from the inside ; in the 

 basket they get chafed and dusty. 



When a basket is carried, it is not necessary to 

 have a horn-case ; but if the horn is carried when 

 there is no basket, it should be put in a russet 



