The _Historical Magazine_ states that in 1805 the English chariot was copied in America, but that it was found cheaper to order these carriages from Europe, on account of the high price of material, and the excessive cost of wages. In 1810 there were twenty-eight factories occupied by Coachmakers in New York. In 1822 a New York Coachmaker, named Miln Parker, had begun to make a name by building “volantes” for the Cuban and Mexican markets. These volantes are gigs, with hoods, perched upon two very high wheels, much used by the ladies of Spanish America. I should have mentioned that the cabs of Vienna are of a superior description, consisting of victorias, broughams, and landaus, as well built and finished as those used by private persons. Many of these cabs are drawn by two horses, and are driven at a rapid rate. It would be a great benefit to London if we could procure such conveyances at a shilling, or even more, per mile. [Illustration] CHAPTER VI. Writers on Carriages--Periodical Publications on Coaches--Tight Harnessing--Height of the Driver’s Seat--Cover to the Driver’s Seat--American Buggy--American Trotting Waggons--Labour-Saving Machines--Machines Save Time--American Magazines on Carriages--Principles of Draught--Disadvantages of Two-Wheeled Vehicles--Track of Wheels--Utility of High Wheels--Side Thrust and Vibration of Wheels--Pitch of Axles and Dish of Wheels--Springs--Elliptic Springs--Brake Retarders--India Rubber Brake Blocks--A Load Should Rest on the Highest Wheel--Danger to a Stage Coach in Low Front Wheels--Carriage Drawings of Full Size--Value of being a Good Draughtsman--Mr Gladstone on Design--Coachmakers Company’s Library. There are not many books upon the art of Coachbuilding. There is a small one in the French language by F. A. Garsault, in the year 1761, which contains designs of the first improvements of the century in carts and carriages. There is also Monsieur Roubo’s work entitled “The Carpenter’s, Cabinetmaker’s, and Coachmaker’s Art,” published by the French Academy of Arts and Sciences, very carefully written, with numerous illustrations; it is certainly a perfect history of the art of Coachbuilding as it existed in the middle of the eighteenth century. Nearly equal to that work is the article on carriages in the French Encyclopædia of 1770, by Diderot; both deserve study and examination by modern Coachbuilders. Mr Felton’s work of the year 1790 I have already mentioned; also that on ancient Greek and Roman carriages by Herr von Johann Christian Ginzrot, of Munich. This is charming for an antiquarian, but contains no information useful to a Coachbuilder of to-day.