MODERN CARRIAGES. 373 



For some years the young men of fashion have driven a 

 small Stanhope phaeton with compassed rail and sticked body 

 in front, and seat for the groom behind, under the name of 

 ' T carts,' usually drawn by a horse of 15 to 15 J hands. They 

 are now giving place to * Spider Phaetons,' a sort of tilbury 

 body on four wheels, with a neat little seat for the groom 

 behind, supported on branched irons ; most of them have a 

 folding head over the front body. Those first made, although 

 light looking from the substitution of iron stays for solid 

 wood construction, had a trembling and vibrating motion ; but 

 with more solid construction, and the suppression of the vibra- 

 tion, they have become not only comfortable, but with more 

 refined designs and construction, more stylish in appearance. 

 They carry a lady and gentleman on the front seat comfort- 

 ably, and the hind seat is made of such size as to carry 

 only one person, and the groom runs no chance of having his 

 dignity hurt by his master or one of his friends having to sit 

 beside him. 



* Victorias,' 'mi-lords,' and ' dues' were used in continental 

 capitals, especially in Paris, long before they became fashionable 

 in London. Although cab-phaetons had been introduced forty 

 years ago by Mr. David Davies, and more recent attempts 

 had been made with partial success to induce people to 

 use them in England, it was not till H.R.H. the Prince of 

 Wales ordered one for the use of the Princess that English 

 people came to understand their handiness and advantages. 

 Set off by Her Royal Highness they became irresistible, and 

 people at once understood that it was ' the correct thing ' to 

 ride in them. 



It is probable that few people reflect on the causes of 

 changes of fashion, but they are sometimes worth considering. 

 The facts are sometimes singular and unexpected, but seem to 

 follow a regular course, at least in one respect : as soon as a 

 carriage has been developed, improved, perfected, and ap- 

 parently no longer capable of improvement, it falls out of use, 

 being superseded by some invention, change of circumstances, 



