The Sport of Our ^Ancestors 



we know of are those under our mail-coaches. The spokes 

 are framed somewhat differently into the nave, which is made 

 rather larger than is usual for common coach- wheels, and 

 every other spoke is framed perpendicular to the nave. Hence, 

 the mortises to receive them in it are not made in a parallel 

 line around it, but stand as it were in two different parallels — 

 one without the other ; by which means greater solidity is 

 given to the nave, and an immense addition of strength to 

 the wheel. What is called the patent hoop, always used in 

 stage-coaches — having the iron tire drawn into one com- 

 plete ring, is not put on these wheels ; but the common 

 strokes, as they are called, forged and hammered to the 

 sweep of the rings, and in lengths equal to those of the 

 fellies, are put on red hot, and well secured by rivetted nails. 

 The mail fore-wheel is somewhat higher than that of the 

 stage-coach, which is an advantage. Low fore- wheels place 

 the axle so much below the level of the wheel-horses' breasts, 

 that they have not only the carriage to draw, but also part 

 of its weight to bear. This weight distresses their hams, 

 stifles, and hocks, and accounts for coach-horses being so 

 soon unfit for the saddle. It is evident that attention to 

 these points is necessary in putting horses to a coach ; and 

 when the fore-wheels are low, the wheel-horses should have 

 as much length of trace as can be given them, for the line 

 of traction should be as nearly even with the draught of the 

 horse as we can make it.^ 



^ Thus it is with a farmer's waggon. When the shaft-horse is standing 

 at rest — allowing two degrees of an angle for that position — the point of the 



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