MODERN CARRIAGES. 389 



or Portsmouth ; Tommy Atkins and his friends, perhaps fresh 

 from camp life at Aldershot or Colchester or Mary Jane and 

 her boxes to her new place in a distant suburb; and as it is often 

 cheaper to hire a cab than a cart to remove goods (other than 

 personal luggage), it is hardly to be wondered at that the varnish 

 is not as brilliant as on the duke's brougham or the countess's 

 victoria. 



The omnibuses of London, whether used with two or 

 three horses, are compact, useful, and handy carriages, carrying 

 from twelve to sixteen persons inside and twelve to sixteen 

 outside. It is probable that, comparing weight of passengers 

 carried with weight of vehicle, there are no carriages used in 

 any part of the world superior to them. They have been greatly 

 improved as regards ventilation, and ease of access, specially 

 to the roof seats ; and many being now provided with lever 

 breaks pressing on the two hind wheels, and actuated by the 

 driver's foot, he is able to ease the horses of much strain 

 otherwise inevitable from the frequent stoppages in taking up 

 and setting down passengers. 



A few words may be added regarding second-hand carnages, 

 for the guidance of persons of moderate means or of economi- 

 cal inclination. 



There are not many articles of manufacture that vary so 

 much in quality, durability, and style as carriages ; for by the 

 judicious use of putty, paint, and varnish, much that is not 

 strictly good, sound, or honest may be made to shine and look 

 attractive to innocent eyes. It is therefore necessary to be 

 cautious in buying smart-looking second-hand carriages. On 

 the other hand, some of the best London carriages are so 

 soundly made that it is difficult to thoroughly wear them out. 

 There are, however, reasons that cause them to change hands 

 from time to time, such as death of owners ; diminution of 

 income through various causes ; departure of temporary resi- 

 dents to colonies or foreign lands ; changes of fashion; and, in 

 addition, the effect of the carriage taxes in England is to keep 

 down carriage establishments, in order to minimise expenditure 



