TRAVELLING CARRIAGES
Should not be hung higher than Three feet from the ground, should have strong well-seasoned Springs, which should be corded, and every part of it should be much stronger than a Town Carriage. Bolts inside should be attached to the Doors, to prevent their being opened on the outside.
The Dickey Box should havePistol Holsterson each side, covered with black fur tops.
A front Budget attached to the Body, or fixed on the beds of Carriage.
A hind Rumblefor two servants, with knee boot attached to the Body.
Cap Caseto front of Body.
Trunks for Travellingmust be very strong, and strengthened at the corners with Iron Plates, and should have Inside Straps and Laths; these are conveniences to confine what the trunk contains from shifting about; they are made with four or five laths covered with cloth or paper, which are nailed, at a small distance from each other,to three pieces of girth web, and lie at the top of the parcels within the trunk; on the bottom of the trunks straps are nailed, which buckle round the laths and keep all tight.
TRUNK COVERS
are made to fit the outside of the trunks, to cover and preserve them from the weather; they are usually made of thick painted cloth, with holes at the sides, for the handles of the trunk to be got at.
IMPERIALS,
are large flat cases made to the form of the whole or part of the Roof or Body; they are conveniences to carry light articles safe, mostly designed for wearing Apparel; they are made of thin boards, covered with Leather, and lined with tow and baize: to prevent its rubbing the roof, if intended to cover the whole of the roof, they are most convenient to remove, if divided into, two parts; and as the half is often sufficient for use, it saves unnecessary luggage. They are fixed on the Roof by means of straps and staples.
DRAG CHAIN, SHOE, AND STAFF,
are necessary to every Travelling Carriage: the Chain is to lock the Wheels, and to prevent the going too fast downhill; the Staff is to stop the Carriage, and give rest to the Horses, when ascending a hill; the chain is fixed to a hook about the middle of the perch or crane, with a hook or shoe at the end for the Wheels. The Hook is most handy for use, but the shoe is preferable, as it preserves the Iron of the Wheel from Injury when dragging on hard stony ground. The Chain being covered with Leather prevents it from rattling.
OIL-SKIN COVERS TO THE BODY
preserve the Paint from the injury of the Road dirt, or Boughs, while Travelling: these covers are frequently used, and are so made that the Doors may be opened and shut with them on. Every part of the Body except the Windows and bottom is covered; it is looped on to the Body by small buttons, and is put on and off with the utmost facility: they are made of common oiled linen, lined with soft baize.
SPRING CORDING.
Springs are corded to prevent danger and delay, if by accident a plate should break, and also to strengthen them, especially when Carriages are loaded with heavy Imperials and much Luggage: it is done by placing a thin piece of ash or a length of cord along the back, and afterwards twisting a small but strong cord round, and fastening it well at the top.
SAFETY BRACES
are fixed by strong Braces attached to the C springs, passing directly under the bottom of the Body, (and prevent any stopping on the road by the springs breaking or body-loops giving way), the expense of which, with the fixing and check-loops, is 5 Guineas; the length varying from nine to twelve feet, according to the length of the Carriage.
England is celebrated for the construction of Carriages of peculiar Elegance and convenience; but the completest machine we have seen was