CARRIAGES.   133

A few years ago the supporter of the road wagon made game of the heavier vehicles, and the advocates of the latter type were equally sarcastic. Time has wrought some changes, however, for we find many men of means and taste indulging in both the heavy and light harness types, keeping each class distinct and yet turning both out well. To such an end as this the present work is directed. If more vehicles of the heavier type are illustrated, it is simply because there happen to be more standard carriages of that sort in general use.

Weight, by the way, in a carriage does not necessarily mean a heavy draught where the roads are good, for a heavily loaded four-in-hand coach, well constructed, will run with comparatively little exertion on the part of the horses.

The side-bar wagon is one of the few examples of a standard vehicle which is peculiarly identified with this country. For a quarter of a century it has changed very little in general shape, and is not likely to do so for some time to come. Fashion at one time dictated that the lining should be green and the tops have three bows ; at another, blue with four bows, etc. To-day the design of the vehicle is almost unvarying, but each owner exercises his individual taste as to colours and trimming, which is much the more rational principle.