The manufacture of carriages, whether pleasure-vehicles or omnibuses, ranks in the highest class of mechanical labor. There is a necessity for the best materials and the best workmanship: since, owing to the severe strains and jerks to which the vehicles are subject, cheap construction is in the end unprofitable. Many different kinds of wood are employed in the construction. The body of the C. is made by one set of workmen, the under-framing by another; the forwer partaking more than the latter of the nature of cabinet-work. The steel-spring making is delicate work, owing to the necessity for combining strength with lightness and elasticity; and the various pieces of iron-work require careful adjustment, especially the axles. The covering of the upper part of the body of a C. with leather is one of the most difficult parts of the manufac ture; one single hide is employed. time leather being worked round the corners by repeated currying while wet; and all must be rendered without even a punc ture. The best coaches receive as many as 20 to 30 coats of oil-paint; and the polishing processes are numerous and carefully conducted. The carving, gilding, herald-paint
ing, lace and fringe work, metal ornamentation, etc.—all are among the best examples of their respective handicrafts.
English carriages are considered to be the best in the world; none else combine so much strength with an equal degree of beauty. The artisans employed in this trade, especially coach-body makers and coach-spring makers, command a very high rate of wages.
or DALMATIAN DOG, a variety of dog apparently allied to the hounds, although it is said to be deficient both in keenness of scent and in sagacity: It is often kept in stables, becomes attached to time horses, and may be seen running after carriages. Its general light color and numerous dark brown or black spots are constant character istics; as are also its short hair, tail destitute of brush, and inoffensive disposition. Its origin is uncertain; the name Dalmatian is probably altogether misleading; and it is supposed that it may have been brought from India, where a very similar kind of dog exists.