MODERN CARRIAGES. 381 



i provided with four wings, to protect the steps and the occu- 

 pants from the mud thrown by the wheels. It is always 

 entered by a single step ; many are provided with a little seat, 

 for children, which folds into the back part of the front 

 boot. 



Vienna phaetons are in most respects like the victoria, but 

 are of angular form and have higher wheels. 



Of late years many victorias have been suspended on iron 

 perches with under and C springs and leather braces ; they are 

 of various patterns and sizes, and look well when used with 

 a pair of cobs of from fourteen to fifteen hands. 



Double victorias are a combination of a victoria and 

 sociable, rather more like the former as regards size and weight, 

 and like the latter in form and accommodation ; they are made 

 with folding head to the hind part of the body, have a more 

 comfortable seat for the third and fourth persons in the body 

 than a victoria, have no doors, but are provided with wings 

 over the wheels to protect the steps from the mud. They are 

 becoming a favourite carriage, and look well witffH pair of 

 fourteen-hand ponies. 



Stanhope phaetons have a curved panel seat in front 

 provided with a folding head, and railed seat large enough for 

 two persons behind, but generally occupied by one servant. 

 They are hung on four wheels and elliptic springs, are mostly 

 driven in England with one horse, but on the continent of 

 Europe almost always with a pair. 



Mail-phaetons differ from Stanhope phaetons in being 

 always made for pair-horse work, and rather larger and stronger. 

 Some are suspended on under-carriages with perch and mail 

 springs, much in the manner of four- horse coaches, and this 

 mode of construction is much favoured by driving men as the 

 correct thing. Many more, however, are hung on four elliptic 

 springs with an arch cut in the boot to allow the front wheels 

 to pass under and facilitate turning the carriage. 



Those having outside futchels (straight bars of wood to 

 support the splinter-bar) are preferred by connoisseurs, as 



