3S4 HIGHWAYS AND HORSES. 



patent mail-coach axle, better known as the mail axle, 

 and Collinge's patent axle,* which last, when properly- 

 made, is found to be the best for retaining the oil, as it 

 is in good order, in this respect, after a journey of five 

 hundred to six hundred miles, or even further. 



The carriage, as technically understood by coach- 

 builders, means the framework upon which the axle- 

 trees and springs are fixed. 



The carriage-maker, although not required to finish 

 his work with that delicacy which is indispensable in 

 the body-maker, has nevertheless to put together his 

 joints with great precision and firmness, as the strength 

 and durability depend upon the carriage, for it under- 

 goes more fatigue and is therefore liable to fail sooner 

 than any other part, the wheels only excepted. For 

 this reason the best seasoned wood must also be made 

 use of in this branch, that none of the joints may 

 shrink. In fitting the various iron plates and stays, 

 great care must be taken that they be properly set to 

 the required curves, and that their bearings be quite 

 correct before being fastened ; as otherwise by the 

 force of the bolts in screwing them on, the wood-work 

 would be twisted, and thereby not only disfigure the 

 appearance of the parts, but materially weaken them. 

 Smiths in general are so little aware of this that the 

 carriage- maker has often more difficulty in getting his 

 iron-work made perfect, than in executing his own 

 more particular department. The carriage is always 

 made of ash of the strongest growth, and perfectly dry, 

 that is, free from sap and other moisture. The joints 

 are put together with white lead ground in oil, secured 

 with bolts and iron plates, stays, hoops, and other iron- 



* But the common axle is only used on the very commonest and 

 cheapest wheeled vehicles. It consists merely of an axle-arm, linch- 

 pin, and nut. 



