430 HIGHWAYS AND HORSES. 



to write voluminously upon matters relating to the 

 construction of carriages, but they never, in any 

 case, support their theories by treating such matters 

 scientifically, or proving they are right in their con- 

 clusions by reducing them to mathematical calculation.. 

 The rule of thumb is apparent throughout their 

 labours, although I believe that a great deal has 

 been done of late years to improve their system of 

 draughting. 



The revival of C springs seems just at the present 

 moment to be revolutionising the manufacture of 

 carriage springs, but in all of them the application is 

 indirect, since they are either employed in combination 

 with elliptic or grasshopper springs, and are attached 

 thereto. 



Yachtsmen who do not buy vessels, but build them,, 

 frequently visit the vessel whilst in the course of con- 

 struction. If they know anything of yacht-building 

 or designing, although the vessel may not be their 

 own design, they feel that they are well acquainted 

 with the various stages of its creation ; they see the 

 parts put together under their own eyes, and when the 

 vessel is sheathed with copper and launched into its 

 natural element, they are conscious that they possess a 

 knowledge of its complete organisation. If there is 

 anything wrong with it beneath water, the part which 

 is affected does not remain to them an unknown 

 quantity, but has been rendered familiar to them by 

 actual observation when in the stages of its earliest 

 creation. 



With regard to coaches, the same familiarity might 

 be insisted upon with regard to their construction; 

 and one might even go so far as to say that other 

 carriao^es — which one drives oneself, or even if driven. 



