4i8 HIGHWAYS AND HORSES. 



great accuracy cannot be manifested in the making and 

 fixing of the various portions of a carriage, both iron 

 and wood, especially in the matter of iron bolts, screws, 

 nuts, etc. ; the better they fit, the quieter will be the car- 

 riage when in motion, and the easier it will be to ride in. 



In my opinion, there is an immense deal of unneces- 

 sary bulk and weight in a modern carriage, which might 

 be dispensed with ; there should not be a single un- 

 necessary part. The same thing should be urged in the 

 making of harness ; why, for the sake of appearance, 

 and in order to be in fashion, should horses be made to 

 carry harness which is unnecessary, and which is only 

 apt to chafe them, and add to their fatigue, when 

 safety and comfort both to horse and driver can be 

 secured with less trouble and less cost ? Mr, Hooper 

 continuing says : 



" The springs, both elliptic, under, and C, are made 

 of better shape than formerly. In many cases, the 

 end bolts are carefully and accurately turned and fitted 

 with casings of brass, and in others surrounded with 

 indiarubber, with a view to reduce noise and vibration ; 

 other elliptic springs are coupled together at the ends 

 with balls of indiarubber, secured with a single bolt. 

 The system of suspending light carriages on C springs 

 without a perch, was introduced about the year 1844, 

 and at that time many were so made. Recently, 

 a combined C and elliptic spring has been brought 

 into use. There is yet another innovation in springs, by 

 which they are attached to the axles with a collar of 

 indiarubber between them, instead of the ordinary 

 wooden block. 



" As regards locks, for many years British carriage- 

 builders have been desirous of procuring reliable 

 spring-locks for doors of carnages. Up to a recent 

 time they have been dependent to a certain extent 



