stick-seats is still made, occasionally varied by lining-nails, buttons, etc., through the length of the back. Dashes are finished very plain, and the white stitching, so long in vogue for cushion-fronts, falls, boots, and tops, is sometimes varied with black, and many buggies are finished very plain, without any stitching scarcely.

The other day we observed, standing at the door of a Broadway repository, a "Byron," or New York buggy, such as is figured on Plate I. of this volume, minus the top, trimmed-the centre of the falls, tops of cushions, and inside lining of the seat-with fine drab cloth, which, being finished with patent-leather, as a substitute for lace, made a neat and tasty job.

We have also seen braided patent leather cord and fringed leather tassels applied to the backs of coaches, as a substitute for the usual silk or worsted outside cords, which not only makes a novel finish, but is a decided improvement over the old mode, which was liable to soon fade when exposed to the weather; whereas the new substitute not only retains its beauty a longer time, but may actually, when it becomes dull, be made to look "as good as new," by the application of a little English leather varnish. We think this mode of finish particularly well calculated for the hack service, so constantly liable to exposure in the open air. We are very much mistaken in our expectations, should not this improved method in the finish of coaches supplant that so long in use, and which is objectionable from various reasons.

RECIPE FOR MAKING PASTE.

IF you want a paste that is a paste, buy of the druggist, for one dollar, one pound of isinglass, dissolve three leaves of it with a piece of alum about the size of a crab-apple, in three pints of water, thickened with wheat flour and boiled well. This paste will, if well made, be more elastic and keep in good condition longer than any other. There is want of judgment displayed on the part of some persons in making paste. They will throw in their flour after they have put in the water. This is entirely wrong. First, put in your flour, afterwards the water, as you find necessary, after stirring. By this operation you get the flour well saturated and have a good mixture, whereas, when the flour is thrown into the kettle last, no afterstirring can effectually prevent its being lumpy.

AN APOLOGY.

THIS department is wholly given up to the charge of our assistant, who, in consequence of ill-health, has not been able to attend to his duties for the past two months. The writers, too, who have been engaged to contribute to this column, have been so dilatory about "sending in something," that the general editor this month again finds

himself "in a fix." We trust, however, to be favored with an article of interest before the next number is issued. With these remarks, we would ask the indulgence of the trimming fraternity a few weeks longer.

The New York Coach-maker's Magazine.

DECEMBER 1, 1858.

E. M. STRATTON, Editor.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. ERRATUM.-In closing the article on the Geometry of Carriage Architecture, on page 108, the printer made the author state that "one and a quarter inch is sufficient for the swell of the door." It should read, one quarter of an inch is sufficient, &c. "W. F., of Ga."-We do not know enough about the "Patent Vender" from you refer to, to advise you otherwise than to have nothing to do with him. We are tired of hearing about this wolf "who goes about seeking whom he may devour."

"F. W. B., ARK."-The recipe for patent leather reviving polish will be sent, when you send one dollar by mail, as directed on page 93, October number.

"T. F., N. JERSEY."-The subscription price, yearly, for the Mercure Universel is $5.50. We suppose you are aware that it is in the French language. We will accommodate you on the receipt of the amount.

"W. K., OF S. C."-There are several contrivances for setting boxes, but we know of none more convenient and, at the same time, efficient, than the one invented by Dole, and advertised under the head of "Office Business" in our columns.

"F. W., OF C. W."-Your letter, enclosing $3, is received, but in addition you should have sent us 25 cents to pay the United States postage, which, in all cases, we are obliged to prepay on magazines when mailed abroad.

We very frequently receive letters, of which the following is a specimen ;

"Dear Sir-I would like you to send me a copy of your Coach-maker's Magazine as a sample, and if I like it I will subscribe."

We have, since the commencement of our volume up to this present writing, invariably done as requested, until our broken volumes have multiplied on our hands. We find, or at least we have come to the conclusion, that this request is but another mode of getting a number dishonestly, and in order to protect ourself from the evil, we shall hereafter be obliged to charge 25 cents as a guarantee against impositions. In nine cases out of ten these customers are never heard from again, and it is very evident they never had any serious intentions of subscribing.

A VISIT AMONG OUR EASTERN FRIENDS. In the morning of the 27th of October we left our editorial sanctum for some three days' visit on business "down East," so, springing into a city car, we were hurried direct for the Twenty-seventh street station of the N. Y. and N. Haven Railroad. In consequence of the passage of a city ordinance lately and which had to be enforced by the strong arm of the police-from this point, after taking our seat in the Company's car, we were still further conveyed, some quarter of a mile through a tunnel, by the aid of horse flesh, before we could get "annexed" to the iron

horse, as some tourists are pleased to term it, at Fortysecond street. This having been consummated, away we went in an express train, whizzy-ty-whiz, leaving the dirt, mud, and other disagreeable filth which, in consequence of misgovernment attributable to our city fathers, abounds in Gotham, not omitting the genus homo, and dashing along through its suburbs, thickly bestudded with the shanties of squatters of almost every nation of the world, we were soon far away on our journey.

The first impression which particularly forced itself upon our mind was the sombre hue of the forest, as it "in its autumn beauty stood," colored by the icy hand of Mr. Frost. An inordinate lover of nature in its greenness ourself, yet we could scarce avoid exclaiming with Bryant :

"The summer tresses of the trees are gone,
The woods of autumn all around our vale
Have put their glory on.

"The mountains that infold,

In their wide sweep, the color'd landscape round,
Seem groups of giant kings in purple and in gold,
That guard the enchanted ground."

Could it be possible, thought we, and is winter thus near?

Away, away we drive! at one moment apparently about to pitch into somebody's castle, and the next dashing across a stream-no stopping "according to law," to see if we may do so with impunity, until we reached the old and pleasant village of Stamford, Conn., where, in the two manufactories which grace the place, and add activity to its industry, we have some twenty-five patrons to our new enterprise. From this point, where we stopped to wood and water, our course was directed to Bridgeport, 58 miles from our office, which were successfully traversed in 24 hours. This trip took us directly across the site where formerly stcod the country schoolhouse in which we, when a" young idea," were "taught to shoot"-to the very doors where our infantile days were passed-to the very places where, in our mind's eye, though distant the scene, we can see the exact spot where is placed a rock, where once, if not yet, stood a flower, a bush, a tree, and around which objects gather associations which length of time can never efface nor change ever drown. We never put our feet into this State without feeling that "it is Connecticut, our own," without saying of her sons, with Halleck :

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They love their land because it is their own,
And scorn to give out other reasons why,

Would shake hands with a king upon his throne,

And think it kindness to his majesty.

A stubborn race, fearing and flattering none,
Such are they nurtured, such they live and die,

All but a few apostates, who are meddling

With merchandise, pounds, shillings, pence and-peddling,

"Or wandering through the Southern countries, teaching
The A, B, C, from Webster's Spelling Book.'
Gallant and godly, making love and preaching."

By the way, the mention of "Webster's Spelling Book" brings to our mind a little circumstance which occurred in

a recent visit to our friends in this very State. Observing in the hands of a youthful niece a spelling book, we had the curiosity to examine it. The result was, we found the same old institution, "the spelling book" we were accustomed to make "dog's ears" in nearly fifty years ago, still in use. After this, who will deny that Connecticut is not legitimately entitled to the designation, "a land of steady habits?"

Setting out to tell our readers something about the craft "down East," we find we have deviated from our original design, carried away by that affection of the heart which our gifted poetess, "Lua Delinn," tells us makes

"his native home the desert, even to the beast of prey." Well, arrived in the city of Bridgeport, our first business was to call on our friends, Messrs. Smith and Barlows, of the Bending Works, who, we doubt not, are ready to bend for "all the world and the rest of mankind," not omitting our friends in "the Jarseys." En passant, should any of our friends want a first-rate article of "bent-stuff," they cannot do better than to leave their orders with this firm. We have tried them some years, and find them "about right." We next called, successively, upon the Spring Perch Company, our friend Mr. Boston, of the Lace Company, and others, whose advertisements will be found in our columns. At the manufactory of "the Tomlinson Light Carriage Company" we found our worthy friend Mr. Cooper, the foreman, under whose guidance we were shown through their establishment, and found-as heretofore they have donethey were still making the finest kind of work. Mr. Cooper having previously sent us in a large club of subscribers, with the cash, increased our indebtedness to him by his assurance of continued exertion in behalf of the Magazine.

Dropping in upon our friends of " the Tomlinson Spring and Axle Company," we found its worthy Treasurer, Mr. Ferguson, as usual, "busy as a bee," and as smiling as "a basket of chips." May his shadow never be less! Under his pilotage we had an opportunity of examining one of the most perfect workshops of the kind it has been our fortune to see. It will be in the recollection of many of our readers that this firm was last winter burnt out, but, Phoenix-like, from the ashes of their former establishment has arisen the fine building now standing on its former site, extending three hundred feet, fronting on Pacific street, and nearly as far in depth. With an engine of fifty-five horse-power, manufactured by the Pacific Company, of the same city, with numerous large and heavy shears, for cutting up the steel into suitable lengths, improved drills for expediting labor, and punches which ignore drills altogether, and ovens, of the most approved construction, in which to soften steel for working, and which is imported directly from England by the Company, and, above all, the ingeniously ventilated roof, which, as if by magic, is opened or closed at the pulling of a cord, letting out all offensive gases

detrimental to the health of the artisan, and from fifty to ninety hands employed, we will venture to say they can spoil more steel bars, and make more good springs, than any other establishment that does not make more than they do. In this same establishment is made-don't forget how modest we are the only "real, genuine, original," and authorized Stratton's Improved Mail Patent Axle! Our friends, who are ambitious to get the best Coach-Maker's Magazine which three dollars will command, will not fail to order the genuine "Stratton's Improved" from this manufactory, for, in so doing, they will be lending "material aid" (as we receive a percentage on all made here) towards putting down "humbugs," of every kind, and get-❘ ting for themselves more than their money is worth. Ahem! Will this do, Mr. Ferguson?

Having consumed the day in calls that might by enumeration only weary the reader, in the evening we, in company with a friend, paid a social visit to our worthy contributor, Mr. Irving and family, which passed away in pleasant chat. In the April issue of our "cidevant associate," out West, "now caved in," great stress was laid upon the valuable services of " our assistant, Mr. Irving." We learned from the lips of that gentleman that his valuable services of some thirty drafts, etc., were "left on the square," without his ever getting the first "red." The reader will, no doubt, be surprised to learn that the great splutter, in the shape of letters, purporting to be communicated from Bridgeport and some other places, libeling "the traitors," were sheer fabrications-a humbug-like everything else emanating from the same source. We have felt ourself compelled thus to notice "the thing," who, to reach his own ends, manufactured an “Extra,” of bad grammar, and worse rhetoric, and crammed it with more manufactured falsehoods than are necessary to make the thing a curiosity for the next edition of D'Israeli. The reader will forgive us for alluding to this thing in this connection, but justice to our own character demands that our libeler should be placed before the world in his naked deformity. Those of our readers who wish to see the English of the editor alluded to, and which we have in pickle in our office, are invited to give us a call. They will find that his wholecloth falsehoods were engendered by our refusal to "adopt" his, at the time, still-born progeny, or have anything to do, more than circumstances obliged us to have, with its unnatural parent.

In our next we shall notice our visit to New Haven and elsewhere.

THE SOCIETY AGITATION.

ON page 132 will be found an article from an enthusiastic painter, who would appear to confine his ambition to the formation of "a society of carriage-painters, or, indeed, all painters ;" and, from the tenor of his letter, we infer he

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would not exclude the bosses. In this respect he may be termed liberal. As to that laboratory and his "competent chemist," we are not sanguine of ever seeing that established, nor do we expect to see any great improvement as the consequences of one's puzzling his cranium in order to test a new method of procedure in striping,” etc. In this connection we also give another letter from a gentleman in a different branch of the business, who appears to take another view of matters, and goes in for a society, which, if not entirely antagonistical to the bosses, yet, would seem to exclude them from its deliberations. He is particularly severe on the getters-up of cheap work, and probably would include among them that class which our Gallic cotemporary, the redacteur-en-chef of the Mercure Universel, denominates "adventurous negotiants," who, he says, having tried their speculations in Europe, and failed, have gone and carried mercantilism "to the oriental banks of the Mississippi;" or, in other words, those who, although not practical mechanics, are yet found in the business. But hear our correspondent.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Nov. 2d, 1858.

MR. EDITOR-Dear Sir: In your August Number was published an article on the United Kingdom Society of Coach-makers, and I certainly was expecting to see more about it in the next issue, in the shape of a proposition, from some of your intelligent readers, to have such a society started here for the protection of employer and employed; but it seems as if the American mechanics did not appreciate such a thing, or it may be they know so little about the working of such an institution that they have not seriously considered the matter. I believe there is only one trade in the United States that can say (with credit to themselves) that they have a society fully established, and that is the hatters' society. I think it is a great slur on the mechanics here, and shows a great want of intelligence; for there is no man, that will give it a mature consideration, but would pronounce it a benefit to the craft, and be hailed with pleasure by all well-meaning and honest employers. What I mean by that is, an employer that is inclined to give a fair price for labor, and employ none but those entitled to employment in the trade, and none but those that can do their work in a workmanlike manner. This would benefit the honest employer, by fixing a standard price for labor. I tell you, sir, it would be the means of destroying the ruinous competition that at present exists in the trade. A man that is inclined to get up a good class of work, and pay a fair price for labor, is not allowed to do so, by the competition of his neighbor, who hires the cheapest and greenest kind of help, and uses the poorest kind of stock, for the sake of selling cheap, and glutting the market with an inferior article, taking the place of work that should have the preference, and giving the consumers the benefit of the sweat and labor of the poor workingman, who, indeed, is needlessly trampled on in a great many instances.

It is time for something to be done, when those inconsiderate manufacturers of cheap work are beginning to dictate how a man is to live, what he must eat and drink, and how he must prepare for hard times, by leaving a portion of his weekly earnings in their hands. Now, is there

one that cannot see the drift of such petty tyranny? Woeful times, indeed, that an intelligent mechanic is not able to take care of his family, and, when his hard day's work is done, he cannot go home and enjoy the comforts of life and the best of the land, if he chooses, and for whom it was intended by our Heavenly Father, and not for knaves and idlers.

I hope to see some intelligent man, that wants to immortalize his name, and confer a lasting benefit on all concerned in the carriage-trade, start a plan for working a society, at which there has been an attempt made once before, but which proved lamentably abortive, on account of depression in trade, which caused the leaders to disperse, to find employment elsewhere; but we hope to see it started again. More fortunate efforts to better our condition will be made by coöperative measures on the part of our intelligent mechanics; for it is an incontrovertible fact, that working men everywhere, these last few years, have made great advances in knowledge, and they are rapidly arriving at a position in which they can and will demand their rights in a body, under the banner of one brotherhood, and, by its power to crush the fell tyrant, competition (or the striving of one man against his fellow-man for his daily bread) will cease to be regarded as a natural law. society movement appeals to some of the best instincts of our nature, when it urges the need of more mutual help, and less antagonism between man and man, encouraging the morals of Christianity, and the best aspirations of human nature. J. I.

The

We have admitted both these articles, as being leading, in a spirit of liberality which, we think, ought ever to characterize the conductor of a public journal, in the hope that, by an interchange of opinions, some good may come of it. Audi alteram partem being a part of our creed, and, in the same spirit, our columns are open to the other side of the question. At the same time, we reserve the right to ourself of tempering such articles as may offer, which would appear too personal, with an expunging pen. We make this offer with no sanguine expectations that much good will be accomplished, or the evils complained of remedied; but, perhaps, it may serve as a good medium through which to discharge the pent-up gases which are apt to gather in the heads of some individuals, and which are not likely to injure any one when set free.

With all deference to the opinions of our respected correspondents, we would suggest, that any organization, which aims to advance the interests of the employed to the neglect of the employer, must, in its very nature, prove a failure. The interests of both parties are so indissolubly united, that a divorce, on any grounds, must terminate disastrously. Such an organization can never thrive in this country, nor, indeed, in any other. We have seen the experiment tried in this city, and a few months sufficed to dissolve its unnatural tendencies. We allude to "the Painters' Society" started some ten years since, with a president, then a journeyman, now "a boss" himself, and who, as a self-arrogated dictator, set up to dictate to the shops the precise number of apprentices one must take (if any),

and just how many journeymen they must be seasoned with, or none of "the society men" would be permitted to work therein, with other equally crude and absurd tyrannical notions, which were offensive to any high-minded republican, and which no man in his senses, who is worthy of the name, could, in justice to his personal liberty, submit to.

If any society of American coach-makers is ever formed, with expectations that it will prosper, it must be done in a spirit of mutual concessions, and with a proper regard to the laws of meum and tuum, or, in other words, it must be founded upon principles that look to the interests of both bosses and journeymen-which admit that the interests of one party are identical with those of the other-divested of all those petty jealousies which have heretofore marked the society proceeding, and proved its annihilation.

The United Kingdom Society, in England, to which a former correspondent alluded in this volume (see on page 59), is based upon the very principles which we advocate, and, in union and harmony, labors to promote the interests of the entire craft. We are not particularly certain of the fact, but we are inclined to believe that it has accomplished its design, in maintaining remunerative prices to the employer and the employé, and contributed, in a great measure, to promote the "social" affections in the hearts of its brotherhood-an element which is strikingly deficient among us in this country.

To maintain its efficiency, its organization should be general, which, we fear, with our diversified opinions and diversified nationalities, could never be effected. Unless it were so, matters would continue as now, when, often, a respectable manufactory has to contend with the competition of some "wood butcher," who has squatted down in its vicinity, and is ready to put a spoke into a wheel for fifteen cents, or do any other repairing at the same starvation prices. It may be very true that this class do not actually starve (perhaps it would be well if they only did), and why? Because they are content to put up with a small show of civilization, and are satisfied to live on the coarsest kind of "fodder," with expenses to match. It is really discouraging to a respectable mechanic to find himself compelled to compete with this class, who are constantly glutting the market with manufactures only made to sell, and whose customers are that class of fools who, if they, when they ride in their apologies for a carriage, should, on the first trial, break their limbs, yet would be no great loss to the world. Having thus given vent to our feelings with these remarks, we, for the present, await the issues of our correspondents' agitations.

THE GEOMETRY OF CARRIAGE ARCHITECTURE. THE article which for two months has appeared under the above head, having been loudly called for by our

TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE COUNTRY. THERE are, doubtless, many of our patrons who, when they order circulars, showbills, &c., of their business

makers may say to the contrary, the rule is correctly given. Anticipating misrepresentation and other unfair measures from those who are after the thirty pieces of silver, the author sends us the following caution, which, but for an oversight on the part of the compositor, would have appeared at the end of the article, on page 126:

MR. EDITOR :-It is to be hoped that this will appear intelligible to the class it is intended for, and that they will not be deceived by designing pedants, who will abuse, criticise, and censure a work like this, for the sake of lining their own pockets out of the small earnings of the uninitiated. It is all well enough to pay for information legitimately given, but I protest against paying for imposition.

An illustration of my sentiment will not be amiss in this case, which took place under my own observation. A young man was working in a shop under instructions, for which he had to build work at much reduced prices, where the foreman (one of the class above-mentioned), although paid a good salary for his services by the proprietor, undertook to teach this young man, in working hours, the so-called French Rule, for which he charged him the price of the job he gave instructions on--about sixty dollars— and had it placed to his own account. Now, I want to know if you don't agree with me in condemning such an imposition on the employer and the employed. I am glad to say such a thing did not happen in Connecticut.

CAMP WASHINGTON, OCT. 9, 1858.

Order No. 2,341, for the Year 1858.
GRAND ARMY OF OCCUPATION, ATTENTION!

The Camp is now arranged according to Army Encampments; heretofore the back was towards the North, when it should be towards the South. When it was first pitched, Scott was used as authority, but such trashy books as Scott do not suit us. It is now in perfect order, and so are we. We therefore GIVE NOTICE that "He who dares this Camp misplace, Must meet Bombastes face to face." BY ORDER OF

BREVET-GENERAL BOM.

TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS.-The paper, in a portion of our November number, was not as good as our contract with our printers demanded. No one can regret this more than the publisher, as he pays for his work as soon as it is performed. We shall, therefore, not allow our kind patrons to be imposed upon, in this respect, again. It is our intention to furnish the public with a book, such as has never, heretofore, been presented to a mechanical body, either in this, or any other section of country.

ate with which to ornament the heads thereof, in order to make them attract the attention of the public. To such, we have concluded to furnish an electrotype of any draft we have already, or may hereafter publish in this Magazine, and from which they may select-the buggies for $2.00, the carriages for $2.50-the money to be forwarded with the order. We can fill such orders at two days' notice, and the cut will be serviceable for years, and cost you but a trifle compared with the expense we were at, in getting them up, originally. To such as prefer our printing their orders here, terms will be made known on application, and sending us the details of what is needed. In this latter case we make no extra charge for the use of the cuts. All expense of transmission by Express is to be borne by those ordering cuts or printing, on its delivery to them.

LOOK OUT. There is a fellow who, for more than a year, has been practicing the confidence game in this city, especially among carriage manufacturers, whom he has swindled by buying on time, and giving his note for a few days. The fellow "came it" over us about a year ago, since which time we have heard of his operations very frequently. Two of "the Smith family" have left their cards with us, which can be seen at our office by any person curious enough to look at the beauties. They may interest those who contemplate selling on time, and profit those who take a look at the cards before they do sell.

For the New York Coach-maker's Magazine. SCALE DRAFTING AS APPLICABLE TO CARRIAGES.

BY JOSEPH IRVING, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

(Continued from page 118.)

LESSON THIRD.

IN drafting a carriage of the kind described, commence by drawing the top horizontal line, H, and the top back-line, K, at right angles with it; then from line H, which is the outside top of lines, mark 3 ft. 9 inches, and draw seat-line, T; from the seat-line mark 11 inches, and your draw your bottom-line, S; now from line K mark a parallel line, B, 3 inches from it, and 18 inches high from the seat. This is the back body-line. Line K is the extremity of the back bow, which overhangs the back-line 3 inches. Next mark from line B, on the seat, 2 ft. 4 in., which is the depth from the back-line to the front of the seat. This is more depth than is necessary for ordinary buggies, but, for this style of carriage there is a good deal of space required, to give it an easy and graceful sweep, and, when trimmed with a good full back, there is none too much room for comfort. From the front of the seat mark off 19 inches