372 DRIVJXG. 



Many years ago Hooper & Co. made one for Captain W. G. 

 Craven in which the opening and closing of the hind door 

 adjusted the balance. They have now a very simple plan of 

 regulating the balance with a lever having a handle beside the 

 driver's seat. 



Most of the gigs of the olden time were hung (Stanhope 

 fashion) with four springs (two side and two cross), forming 

 a square, and they carried the body only, the strong iron- 

 plated ash shafts being connected with the axle by span-irons. 

 This system of construction and suspension gave comfort to the 

 two occupants of the body, but the shafts being wholly without 

 spring action vibrated terribly when used with a fast horse, and 

 the vibration was mitigated as far as the horse was concerned 

 by a capacious and well-stuffed saddle-pad. With very fast 

 driving, it was almost impossible to keep the iron plates and 

 stays sound for any length of time, even with the utmost care 

 and precaution. When, about fifteen years ago, gigs were 

 again inquired for, the comfortable four-spring arrangement of 

 the old Stanhope gigs was combined with the improved method 

 of using the lancewood fulcrum shafts with elegantly tapered 

 hind ends. By applying neat chains to the axle flaps under the 

 springs, and attaching the splintree in front, an even pull was 

 secured from the axle and wheels. By attaching the shafts to 

 fulcrums near the front step, they were connected with the 

 body, and by supporting the tapered hind end between two 

 cylinders of Indiarubber, free play was permitted without risking 

 a rattling noise. Adding a curved iron to give the appearance 

 of the Stanhope shafts to the elastic ones, the altered con- 

 struction and arrangement was scarcely perceptible. The best 

 points of two systems of construction are combined in the 

 neatest possible manner, giving ease and comfort to the rider 

 as well as the horse. 



The introduction of the game of ' polo ' of late years among 

 officers and civilians has created a demand for gigs of small 

 size, to use with the polo ponies at times when they are not 

 required for saddle-work. 



