27S MODERN FARRIER. 



the possibility of stopping it. A very considerable 

 degree of danger is also attached to the present 

 mode of hanging stage-coaches. Formerly they 

 were suspended by a perpendicular spring at each 

 corner ; but the present system is to fix them with 

 horizontal springs under the body. 



In the former mode, when the wheels were going 

 on the side of a road, and were consequently in a 

 slanting or oblique position, the body still preserved 

 its perpendicular direction by the swinging of the 

 braces, and therefore did not incline sideways at the 

 roof, as is the case when it is fixed upon springs 

 bearing only on the centre ; for whenever the car- 

 riage is going with one wheel higher than the other, 

 the body is not only obliged to take the same direc- 

 tion, but absolutely hangs over more than the 

 wheels, in consequence of its meeting with no sup- 

 port at the sides ; and there is certainly a peculiar 

 providence protecting these vehicles, when all these 

 circumstances are taken into consideration. 



Drivers commit a cruel error who force their 

 horses to trot up a hill in order to gain time, and 

 whip them when near the summit in order to in^ 

 crease their speed. Were they allowed a few mo^ 

 ments for the recovery of their wind, they would 

 proceed with greater ease and rapidity upon level 

 ground. In stage and mail-coaches it is seldom 

 that four horses are equally matched in speed and 

 wind ; and the consequence generally is, that an 

 inferior horse, when yoked with stronger animals, is 

 completely knocked up, and not unfrequently drops 

 down dead on the road. Many coachmen have also 

 a bad habit of pulling up suddenly when on the 

 gallop : such an improper practice exposes the joints 

 of a horse to the risk of dislocation, or even to frac- 

 ture the bone. 



The brutality of some coachmen, but particularly 

 carmen, is notorious, and deserves the severest re- 

 prehension. 



