IMPROVEMENT IN CARRIAGES.

To pass through all the gradations of improvement which have taken place since carriages were first introduced, would occupy a space far beyond the limits of a Work like THE SPORTING MAGAZINE, so replete with various subjects of interest and importance: I shall, therefore, confine myself to a few remarks upon the carriages in use in the present day. If I can convey a hint to any of its readers about to establish a new vehicle, I shall feel proud of my endeavors.

Previous to the reign of Queen Elizabeth, pleasure carriages were but little used in this country, but it appears that during her time their numbers were vastly increased: what may be the result of the reign of our present much-beloved and amiable Queen Victoria remains to be seen. Some are of opinion that rail-roads will produce an extraordinary effect both on public and private conveyances; that our breed of horses adapted to the road and harness will be a useless drug; and allow the fanciful dream of prejudice and despondency to fly away with their better reason, which is always the case amongst those who have not the energy or ability to establish a new project, and consequently, perhaps, through jealousy condemn and retard the exertions of the speculative and industrious.

Let those who are apprehensive of ill effects from the introduction of rail-roads bear in mind that it must be a long time, if ever, before they become general, and that we have a Legislature, which it is to be hoped will have sense and discernment enough to enact such laws as may, from time to time, become necessary to protect the interest of all classes, and which laws can only be formed as circumstances may point out the necessity for them. It is my opinion, that the facilities afforded by the rail-roads for travelling generally will very much increase the number of private carriages, which will be kept, especially in country places, where a vehicle of some description will be required to convey individuals to the stations at which rail-way carriages will take in passengers. The ingenuity of the coach-builder has been so valuably employed as to construct vehicles of all descriptions, and suitable to all classes, from the elegant barouche and chariot for the wealthy Nobleman, Commoner, or Merchant, to the little four-wheel pony chaise attainable by the less fortunate, but, perhaps, not less happy economist, who, living upon limited means, is satisfied with a country life and the enjoyments attendant thereon, enhanced by the unostentatious convenience of the little vehicle which alike augments his comfort, enjoyment, and economy. Let it be observed, such a carriage is most decidedly a matter of economy as well as convenience to a person living in a country place, where the keep of a pony, which costs but a few pounds, and can be accomplished by the rental of a small piece of ground, is more than compensated by the advantage arising from going to the market town to procure the little necessaries of life.

Very little alteration has been made of late years either in the style or construction of the family coach or chariot in use in the metropolis, but a variety of light and very elegant carriages have of late come into

use, and so constructed as to be drawn by one or two horses: they are mostly built very low, consequently, as well as for the sake of lightness, without a perch, the rejection of which, except in one or two descriptions of carriage, is very objectionable and unsafe. For the sake of lightness many carriages, especially those denominated "flies," have of late years been so constructed; they are hung upon elliptic springs, which are constantly out of order, as the draught is taken from the bolts in the centre of the upper springs, and the consequence is, a continual strain upon that part, which, working in an angle with the end of the spring, and again that end acting in the same way with the under part, which is fixed upon the axle, with nothing else to connect the fore and hind carriages. Vehicles so constructed are very imperfect: they are, however, going quite out of fashion, and will, doubtless, in a few years, become obsolete: indeed they never have been patronised or recommended by coach-builders of the first eminence.

Collinge's Patent for Axles having expired, imitations are now made by most of the axle-tree makers, yet few, if any, equal those made at the original manufactory. They are far superior to any other description of axle; and, if well made, they are far more durable than the common axle. Their most important feature is safety; and what is the outlay of a few pounds when life and limb are at stake?

One of the most important inventions, and one which has been for a long time wanted, has at last been brought to perfection, though many very fruitless attempts have been made to introduce variously contrived pieces of machinery to retard the velocity of carriages down hill. Something has also been wanted to check run-away horses, and to assist in stopping the impetus of a carriage in case of the harness or any part of the vehicle being broken. All these desiderata will be found in a drag invented by Mr. Tongue: it cannot be too highly recommended, or too universally adopted. The fact of so many absurd inventions having been presented to the public, all of which, except this, have been failures, creates an impression in the minds of many that the object cannot be accomplished: that the difficulty is overcome is borne out by the fact of its being in use in many public and private conveyances: its adoption will, no doubt, become universal.

A carriage upon a new principle has lately been constructed by Messrs. Adams, and designated by them the Equirotal Carriage: the fore wheels are equal in height to the hind ones, giving upon level roads a very great advantage in point of draught. The springs are altogether upon a new construction, and may be compared to a bow, the upper part being made of steel, and the under part of a series of cords covered over with leather: they give an exceedingly easy motion to the carriage. The fore and hind part of the vehicle is connected together by two bolts and joints, which form a sort of hinge, whereby the carriage is turned: no transverse bed being required, the fore axle is consequently fixed to the fore carriage. This vehicle will doubtless be very durable, and seems very light.

A neat carriage called a Pilenture has lately made its appearance. It was first of all built by Davies of Wigmore Street: it is something like a light Britchska, built very low-a sort of well brought down with an agreeable sweep being the body of the carriage; it is then cut out to

give room for the fore wheels to lock. It carries six persons, four in and two out, and is light enough to be drawn by one horse.

A plan for stage coaches is in the course of trial, the springs being at the top instead of under the body; the object is to render the vehicle less liable to be overturned. It is the invention of a Mr. Stafford, who has taken out a patent for it. It is to be hoped his ingenuity will meet with the reward due to all men who exert themselves for the benefit of the public; and there is nothing for which a man's exertions ought to be more highly appreciated than in cases where they tend to lessen the number of accidents which we are daily subject to. SCRUTATOR.

Mr. Stafford thus describes the principles on which his Patent SafetyCarriage is built." It is on the plan of the ordinary mail and stage-coaches, with spacious front and hind boots for luggage; but instead of the usual springs placed beneath the body, and consequently below the centre of gravity, which always renders a coach liable to overturn from inequalities on the road, the body of this carriage is suspended considerably above the centre of gravitation, even when loaded with its full complement of passengers. This is effected by two upright supporters rising from the beds and axles, and passing up between the body and the boots. The tops of these supporters are surmounted by elliptic springs, to which is affixed one-half of the shifting centre of gravity; the other half is attached to the body of the coach, and rests upon the other."......" "The grand desideratum of the invention," continues Mr. Stafford," is PERFECT SAFETY under every inequality of the roads, the breaking or coming off of a wheel, running over gravel or other heaps of from one to three feet in height, extreme speed, and all sharp turnings in one word, the carriage cannot be upset. There is, besides, much less wear and tear-two coach-bodies on the patent suspension principle wearing out three of the old and dangerous construction. There are yet other advantages, which would accrue were the suspension principle generally adopted for example, a great saving would arise on the present enormous amount of the county-rates, by the roads being of a rounded rather than of a flat surface, which hinders the drainage, and renders frequent renovation of the roads necessary. Let the horses, also, become never so restive, and run to the right and left, there will be no rocking or side motion. Messrs. Chaplin and Co., perhaps the largest coach-contractors in England, are now running a new coach on this principle, which is regularly performing its journeys with perfect satisfaction to and from London and Nottingham, and others are building on the same construction."

FLIXER.

Engraved by T. S. ENGLEHEART from a Portrait by W. CORden, of Windsor.

FLIXER, a black bitch of very small dimensions, the property of Mr. Rangecroft, of Windsor, now four years old, has proved herself one of the best coursers in the kingdom. She is by Mr. Freeman's (late Lord Molyneux's) Mortgage out of Mr. Nash's Plunder.-Mortgage, by Lord Molyneux's Mountain out of Gaudy.-Mountain, by Mr. Lloyd's Blucher out of Columbine by Capt. Lidderdale's celebrated Champion :