C SPRINGS. 429 



Sir, — Any one travelling through the Lake district can well re- 

 member the style of coaches used twenty-five years ago, and the 

 changes introduced by Mr. Riggs, of Windermere, whose name is a 

 household word to all visitors in the Lake district. The new coaches 

 are kept snug and near the ground, and do not stand higher than the 

 char-a-banc used at the Scotch Lakes, and they have the further 

 advantage of having covered seats for four, available for wet weather. 



The small coach built by Atkinson & Philipson, Newcastle, was 

 much talked about at the time, and also one which ran at Ulswater ; 

 but both were found quite equal to a heavy load, and were also a 

 great saving to the horses. 



The old stage-coach is not to be met with in the northern counties, 

 and, by your ventilating the subject, doubtless the south-country 

 four-in-hands will soon follow the example of having weight-carrying 

 coaches with no more lumber than necessary. 



Traveller. 



In speaking of C spring carriages, one objection 

 has been urged against them : it has been said that 

 their action affects a coachman's driving. As the 

 body of the carriage sways backwards and forwards 

 alternately, it is said to vary the distance of the 

 driver's hand from the horses' mouths to the extent 

 of several inches, and also, to some extent, sideways. 

 Owing to the play of the springs, the motion of the 

 hand in trying to hold the reins so as to feel the 

 horses' mouths becomes so uncertain that the driver 

 has to relinquish the attempt to do so. By the 

 constant swinging of the body of the carriage that 

 is hung on C springs both in front and behind, the 

 distance between the horses' heads and the coachman 

 is said to vary as much as nine inches ; but when 

 only the after body is hung on C springs, and the 

 fore body is on elliptic springs, then the sway of 

 the hind C springs was scarcely perceived by the 

 coachman when driving. 



It is very certain that coach -builders understand 

 very little about mechanics. They do not hesitate 



