THE CARRIAGE AS DISTINCT FROM THE BODY. 385 



work to the weight of from 230 lbs. in a light carriage 

 to 370 lbs. in a heavy one, exclusive of axle-trees and 

 springs. 



In fact, carriages, as they have been made for 

 many years past, are in every part a combination of 

 wood and iron, in order to produce a light appearance ; 

 the workmen being enabled, from the additional 

 strength of the iron, to reduce the dimensions of the 

 wood. 



The springs are made fast to their respective bars 

 with screwed bolts, and the fore or under-carriage is 

 secured to the main carriage by means of a strong iron 

 bolt, upon which the axle of the front wheels turns 

 independently of the hind wheels, thereby enabling the 

 whole carriage to turn with ease, which it could not 

 otherwise do. 



The next process is body-making. This is the making 

 the wood-work of the body or shell, or that part con- 

 taining the seat of every vehicle generally known by 

 the name of carriage, whether open or close, and 

 havinof either two or more wheels. This is considered 



o 



the nicest branch of the art of coach-making, and very 

 deservedly so ; for to understand it thoroughly requires 

 knowledge rarely to be met with in the lower classes 

 of artisans, besides an accuracy and delicacy in the 

 junctions of the various parts, and neatness in finish- 

 ing, which no other part of coach-making so particu- 

 larly requires. The framework of the body is 

 uniformly made of ash timber, the bottom (and roofs 

 of close carriages) of fir, as being lightest, the panels 

 of mahogany (sometimes walnut-tree), as fittest from 

 its nature to receive the paint, and more pliable to 

 take the curved form which is required ; the back and 

 upper quarters are sometimes made of mahogany, but 

 more frequently of fir. The joints of the framework 



2 c 



