396 DRIVING. 



In London there has long existed a system of contracts for 

 the supply of new and second-hand carriages by coachmakers, 

 whereby for a certain yearly payment one or more carriages 

 are supplied, and kept in sound repair and nice order with 

 little or no trouble to the lessee or person hiring. The system 

 would not be so extensively developed had it not many ad- 

 vantages to recommend it to those who keep carriages. 



It is specially convenient to persons enjoying fixed incomes, 

 and who are disinclined to pay a large lump sum to purchase a 

 new carnage : to ladies who prefer a definite annual payment 

 rather than the uncertainty of bills for repairs : to persons who 

 have not paid much attention to the selection of carriages, 

 there is considerable relief of trouble and anxiety: there is 

 also the satisfaction of using a carriage always kept in nice 

 order, as the coachmakers provide a good substitute for tem- 

 porary use, while repairs are being effected, .free of charge. 



Of course the charge varies according to the value of 

 the carriage (whether new or second hand), and the term for 

 which the contract is agreed to run. These contracts are made 

 for one, three, five, seven, and ten years; the yearly rate of 

 hire being proportionately reduced as the term becomes longer ; 

 printed and stamped agreements are generally signed by both 

 parties. 



It is perhaps little known to strangers that many of the 

 best carriages in the London parks are contract carriages, and 

 that many persons of wealth and station, whose carriages are 

 all that can be desired in style and finish, simply pay an annual 

 fixed sum to the family coachbuilder. 



It may be said, this is easy enough for persons living in 

 London all the year round, but not to those who spend the 

 greater part of their time in the country. But to any large 

 London firm it is very rarely difficult to make arrangements 

 with respectable persons in the provincial towns to do such 

 small repairs as are from time to time necessary, whilst for 

 thorough restorations the carriages come to London for a few 

 weeks. 



