pecially on drawing-room days, and at other times
in Hyde Park, an attractiveness unequalled in any other capital. After
the death of the prince consort, the pageantry of that period very much
declined and, except as an appendage of royalty, full-dress carriages
have since been comparatively few, though there are hopes of a revival
in this direction. Meanwhile, owing to the rapid development of railways
and the wide extension of commerce, the demand for carriages greatly
increased. The larger types gave place to others of a lighter build and
more general utility, in which in some cases an infusion of American
ideas made its appearance. In accordance with the universal rule of
supply meeting the demand, Mr Stenson, an ironmaster of Northampton, was
successful in producing a mild forging steel, which proved for some
years, until the manufacture ceased, very conducive to the object of
securing lightness with strength. In the early 'seventies the eminent
mechanician, Sir Joseph Whitworth, in the course of his scientific
studies in the perfecting of artillery, succeeded in manufacturing a
steel of great purity, perfectly homogeneous and possessing marvellous
tenacity and strength, known as "fluid compressed steel." Incidentally
carriage-building was able to participate in the results of this
discovery. Two firms well known to Sir Joseph were asked to test its
merits as a material applicable to this industry. In this test much
difficulty was experienced, the nature of the steel not being favourable
to welding, of which so much is required in the making of coach
ironwork; but after much perseverance by skilful hands this was at
length accomplished, and for some years there existed not a little
rivalry in the use of this material, more especially in the case of
carriages on the C and under-spring principle, which for lightness,
elegance and luxurious riding left nothing to be desired. Many of these
carriages may be referred to to-day as rare examples of constructive
skill. Unfortunately, the original cost of the material, still more of
the labour to be expended upon it, and the difficulty of educating men
into the art of working it, were effectual barriers to its general
adoption. The idea, however, had taken hold, and attention was given by
other firms to the manufacture of the steel now in general use,
admitting of easier application, with approximate, if not equal,
results.

[Illustration: FIG. 1.]

From C and under-spring