IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE-BUILDING. 397 



but perches are rarely used now except In coaches and 

 mail phaetons. 



The axle-trees known by the name of Collinge's 

 patent, ought not to be overlooked as a material 

 improvement ; they undoubtedly facilitate the draught, 

 and save great trouble in oiling ; they are ingenious in 

 their construction, and afford considerable security. 



A writer, to whom I have referred for many of my 

 particulars respecting coach-building, gives the following 

 interesting account of an iron under-carriage : " One 

 of the latest improvements is that of making carriages 

 totally of iron, which, among other advantages, 

 possesses that of having more strength than those 

 of the ordinary construction of the same weight. The 

 first of this kind was applied to a heavy stage-coach, 

 licensed to carry sixteen passengers, besides baggage, 

 and has hitherto required no repair, although the coach 

 has already run upwards of 90,000 miles with the same 

 velocity as the mail-coach. Metal wheels have also 

 been introduced, and axles of a new construction." 



But this was written some years ago ; and I am 

 inclined to think that, in the coach mentioned by this 

 writer, there was little more iron used in the under- 

 carriage than is now the case, although at the time 

 the fact of using iron so extensively may have 

 suggested the name of an iron carriage. 



It would be a hopeless task to attempt, within the 

 limits of a work of this kind, to go exhaustively into 

 matters relating to coach-building ; consequently I 

 intend the rest of this chapter to be presented to my 

 readers in the form of unconnected gossip on matters 

 relating to the building of carriages. Having said 

 this, I may be excused if my treatment of the subject 

 appears somewhat erratic. 



