C SPRINGS. 399 



wood painled black, as also are the wings ; the springs 

 are more frequently grasshopper than elliptic springs, 

 and every part is of the simplest construction. Speak- 

 ing of springs, a letter appeared in the Fie/d news- 

 paper on April 7th, 1883, in which C springs were 

 strongly advocated for carriages without perches as 

 being the most comfortable in every possible way. 

 There are certain trade difficulties respecting it owing 

 to some unexpired patent ; but the gentleman who 

 writes this letter says that having used them for some 

 years he is convinced that no spring more nearly 

 approaches absolute perfection, both for ease of riding, 

 safety, and lightness for the horses. In mentioning 

 these springs he does not mean the old C spring as 

 formerly used, but a modification of the old spring. 

 Another gentleman, writing to the same paper, con- 

 firms the first writer's opinion by saying that " no 

 carriage can be easier than one hung on C and under 

 springs, as the body of the vehicle can swing gently, 

 longitudinally and laterally [he should say latitudinally], 

 so that every shock is broken." This writer goes on to 

 say that to neutralise vertical shocks he employs a 

 layer of corrugated indiarubber which he places under 

 the cushions. " I am using it daily," he remarks, " in 

 two carriages of mine, and find them much easier than 

 without the indiarubber under the cushions." This 

 would appear a very sensible plan and very well calcu- 

 lated to diminish concussion, were it not that the 

 Editor of the Field, in a footnote, remarks, " we have 

 ourselves tried the corrugated indiarubber springs, but 

 could discover no advantage in them." 



Mr. Hooper, of Victoria Street, one of the most 

 eminent of all coach-builders, in his report on the 

 ■carriages exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition 



