404 HIGHIVAYS AND HORSES. 



especially for such as is enamelled or japanned ; for 

 pliancy, toughness, and colour, it is unequalled. 

 Large quantities of it are used by the best coach- 

 makers in France and America. 



" English carriage-cloth is still, as it has been for 

 many years, made of excellent quality ; but the French 

 are introducing novelties in cloth, to adapt them to 

 the use of the numerous open carriages now made 

 for country work. 



" The mahogany used for the panels of the 

 English carriages enables the makers to produce a 

 more accurate and durable surface to their carriages 

 than those of other countries, and for bodies and 

 under-carriages (and especially poles), no wood seems 

 to equal the hedgerow English ash for toughness 

 and durability. 



" England still retains her reputation for the best 

 a>des. Not only was the system of Collinge an 

 English one, but her iron, fuel, and processes of 

 fitting and hardening the arms and boxes are 

 superior to those of other countries. 



" The English have made great progress of late 

 in the manufacture of carriage-lamps, both as regards 

 illuminating power, soundness, and style of shape. 

 Some (mineral- oil lamps) are now made for the use 

 of the London street cabs that produce a brilliant 

 light at a very trifling cost per night. 



" The most costly carriages shown are those from 

 America ; so costly, in fact, that the best London 

 carriagfes can be delivered in New York at lower 

 prices than those charged in America, notwithstanding 

 a duty of thirty-three per cent., the cost of elaborate 

 packing, long sea voyage, and insurance against injury 

 or total loss in transit. 



