42 . DRIVING. 



trunk behind or, as Mr. Adams calls it, and doubtless cor- 

 rectly, for he was an expert the sword-case. The 'caned 

 whisky ' had cane-work sides, and the ' grasshopper ' was made 

 as light as was, or as seemed, compatible with safety. 



The curricle was to a great extent ousted by the cabriolet, 

 a two-wheeled carriage imported from France early in the 

 present century. Mr. Adams does not give the precise date ; 

 in fact, the omission of dates somewhat destroys the value of his 

 book as a work of reference, but this may probably be fixed 

 as on the conclusion of the peace of 1815. The description 

 of the cabriolet may be borrowed. It is, in reality, he says, 



A regeneration of the old one-horse chaise in a newer and more 

 elegant form, which has been borrowed, together with the name, 

 from the French ; and, as is common in most such cases, it has been 

 improved on. The principal reason why the carriage is so much 

 liked is its great convenience. It carries two persons comfortably 

 seated, sheltered from sun and rain there is a movable hood, 

 it should here be added yet with abundant fresh air, and with 

 nearly as much privacy as a close carriage if the curtains be drawn 

 in front. It can go in and out of places where a two-horse carriage 

 with four wheels cannot turn ; and a boy is carried behind, cut off 

 from communication with the riders, save when they wish to alight 

 and give the vehicle into his charge. 



Though the cabriolet is not very often seen now-a-days, 

 having in its turn been supplanted for the most part by some 

 varieties of dog-cart, some readers are doubtless familiar with 

 the vehicle. Between the high C springs is a small padded 

 board on which the groom stands, holding on by straps 

 fastened to the back of the carriage. The motion, consequent 

 on the method of hanging the body, is admitted by Mr. Adams 

 to be a disadvantage. 



As regards make and shape, ' the peculiar feature of the 

 cabriolet is the graceful form of its body, which resembles that 

 of a nautilus shell, and with which the shape of the head 

 harmonises well.' The knee-flap is stretched tightly across a 

 frame. 'The shaft forms a graceful curve, and the spring 



