few weeks. Both these gentlemen will be provided with the properly authorized papers. All who pretend to be traveling agents, and cannot produce, over our signature, such papers, may be set down as impostors.

"A wandering vagabond, of 'softest tongue and smoothest visage,' has been fleecing" the Canadians by his pretended. agency for American publications. He will likely try his luck with our Magazine. He glories, according to his letter to us, in the name of "T. Duff McDonald." The public will beware of him, and see that all agents, representing themselves as employed by us, have the "documents" in proof of their pretensions.

A NEW PATENT WHEEL IN THE FIELD, ABOUT a hundred sets of which, the inventor informs us, have been thoroughly tested, some of which have been running on the very lightest class of work nearly two years. These wheels are designed for first-class work. The basis is a wood hub, and the combination such, that a much smaller hub can be used than in the old style. The inventor informs us that some of the first-class and most extensive builders in Connecticut have purchased the right to build and use his wheel, and that most of the first-class builders in New York have ordered test sets; and he wishes us to inform them through our columns that the wheels will be forthcoming as soon as they are finished, and that the cause of delay is not for want of attention on his part. A full advertisement is promised for the April number of this work.

BUSINESS PROSPECTS.

Ir gives us much pleasure to say that there are indications of improvement in business for the craft. Our correspondents, East, West, and South, with little exception, write us that the present time is full of encouragement. The capital which has slept during the winter must be invested in something-according to the ambition of its possessor-in the spring, and the public, generally, having gotten over their fright, will go to work again in good earnest. Business having revived, the people will ride, and if they will ride, we must make them pay for the pleasure of riding. So mote it be.

From the letter of a correspondent, published in the Journal of Industry, dated Evansville, Indiana, January 11th, 1859, we learn that a wagon-maker, who will go on and hang out his shingle in that place, can have a house and ten acres of land free of rent for five years. Some poor fellow, who now wishes to be happy for the next five years, has only to subscribe to this Magazine, and accept the offer above made, and "live in clover" for a while at least.

From the same source we learn, that, although there is but little to do, wagon-makers get, in Waverly, Mo., $15 per week; in Albion, Ill., $18, and in Evansville, Ind., $9. We should like to hear from the two first-named places, as

we are disposed to think that "wages there are represented too good to be true."

WE learn from a letter, dated Shelbyville, Tennessee, January 17th, 1859, that "business is looking up again" in that place that they have a great many calls for carriages, and that "it is thought that business will be as good this year as at any time heretofore."

MR. L. W. TRUE, of Tenn., himself a carriage-trimmer, in connection with two other gentlemen, has invented and patented what they call a Portable Chair, with an improved spring cushion, adapted to carriages of every description. We judge that it must be something entirely original, since Mr. Southgate, the parties' solicitor, has declared, that "this invention embraced the largest base for a patent he had ever seen," notwithstanding his long connection with the Patent Office. We hope to be able to present it in detail, with suitable illustrations, in our April number.

CARRIAGES IN THE CALIFORNIA MARKET.-A correspondent at San Francisco sends us The Mercantile Gazette and Shipping Register, of January 4th, 1859, from which we glean the following items: "Wagons and carriages of the most substantial character are extensively manufactured .n all parts of the State.

"The wages of Carriage-makers is from $3

to $5 per day

"About 50 carriages and wagons had been exported from San Francisco to Victoria and the British Colonies the past year."

From the same source we learn that the manufacturing enterprises of California are steadily increasing in number, and variety, and that the time is not far distant when most articles of manufacture will be produced by home labor and capital. An irregular and reckless system of importation has heretofore materially interfered with the profits of manufacturers, but the permanent establishment of manufacturing facilities is expected to soon remedy this difficulty.

NEW STEAM CARRIAGE.-Col. Hoe, of New York, the inventor of the celebrated type revolving printing press, says the Baltimore Sun, is about to construct a carriage to travel over any turnpike or good country road, and to be propelled by steam. The first is intended for himself to ride out and in between his place of business and his country seat, about twelve miles from the city of New York. It is expected that the carriage and propelling power will not cost more than a good pair of horses and coach, and travel over a fair road at the rate of two-thirty per mile.

FAMILIAR LETTERS FROM THE CRAFT. SOUTH DEERFIELD, MASS., Feb. 4th, 1859. MR. EDITOR: Dear Sir-I noticed, in the Jan. number of your Magazine, an article from B. & C., in reference to the way in which spokes should be made-whether the heart or sap should be in front-the answer to which I beg leave to differ from. Though some of the reasons given are good, yet, from my experience in heavy lumber work, I am compelled to decide in favor of putting the heart in front. My opinion may not be correct; but, in order to draw out others of the craft, who may have had more experience in heavy draught wagons than myself, and who, perhaps, have spent no time in theorizing upon the subject, yet have found, from personal examination of old and brokendown team-wagons, which continually come to them for repairs, where and in what particular point the spokes have failed first. I am not as old as .Methuselah was, nor as young as twenty years ago, but, from the experience I have had within that time, in the carriage business, I am satisfied that, if there must be any sap used in spokes, it should be on the back side, rather than in front, more especially in lumber-wagons, and where oak spokes are used. I have noticed in all the heavy team-wagons, both one and two horses, and in three-fourths, at least, of the light work which has come to me for repairs, and where no accidents have happened, but simply the natural wear and tear, that where spokes have failed, unless broken at the hub or felloe (which is the case where poor timber is used), all have broken in front, and, generally, across the spoke, and within three or four inches of the hub; but I have seldom, if ever, seen a spoke broken off at the back side. I shall not attempt to explain the philosophy of what I assert as fact in this letter, but, as I consider it an important item in getting up wheels, especially for heavy work, I merely throw down the gauntlet for others to take that by this means well-established facts, which can be relied upon, may be brought to light, and each may profit by the experiments of others. Yours, truly,

up,

A SUBSCRIBER.

RALEIGH, N. C., February 7th, 1859. FRIEND STRATTON :-Dear Sir-The Raleigh correspondent has no remarks, or reply to make to the communication from Mr. T. F. Bain, from Stantonsburg. He will not even condescend to engage in a war of words with a person who substitutes vituperation for argument, and low epithets for that respectful language which we expect from a fellow-craftsman. He has no respect for Mr. Bain, and no disposition even to think of him. He will not be at the emotional expense even of conceiving and entertaining contempt for the correspondent from Stantonsburg. As you have remarked, "personal abuse is neither argument nor reason," and, as in another of your sayings, I think, Respect for everybody is the best policy," I wili, therefore, drop this correspondence, and sign myself yours, in forwarding our cause,

66

B. H. H.

The following letter and poetry were not intended for publication, or, perhaps, the author would not have laid it on for our friend Newhall quite so thick. The "admiration" of our correspondent's prose is so completely buried in enthusiasm by his "lines" that a little allowance, perhaps, ought to be made for imagination. Hoping that the

"large orders" of our New Haven friend will not awaken jealousy among the craft in that village, we shall let our friend B. S. L. now take the stand.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Feb. 10th, 1859. FRIEND STRATTON : * * * I think there is that good time coming again, when every jour. will have plenty of work, and appreciate it by subscribing for your valuable Magazine. I was in New Haven last week; there they are driving things up to the handle; particularly at Cook's and Newhall's. After viewing these mammoth establishments, the question comes up, Where do all these vehicles go to? I am told that over 125 carriages are turned out weekly in that city alone, and still they are far behind in filling their orders on light work. I have often thought to myself, there must be a heavy stock of buggies South, and, on a visit through the South, I attempted to find out what did become of them. In answer to my inquiries from an old dealer, he stated to me that they always traded the worn-out buggies, and kept them on the move until there was nothing left of them, and that was the reason they did not accumulate-very satisfactory, decidedly. I inclose to you the reflections I had on my return home, after spending half a day through Newhall's shop.

LINES

Suggested by a visit to the extensive Buggy Factory of George T. Newhall, Esq., New Haven, Conn.

Tune-" YANKEE DOODLE."

Of all the wonders ever penned,
Performed by aid of steam,
We lately in New Haven saw
What "took at once the cream!"

The visit which we lately made

To that renowned city

Shall be the burden of our theme, And Newhall's crown the ditty.

Two hundred men-say, more or less-
And girls were working there;
While each performed with skill his part,
With neatness and with care.

Some thirty buggies every week

From out these shops they turn, And still large orders are behindAt least so we did learn!

One building, some four stories high,
In length two hundred feet,
With numerous other shops about,
Extend from street to street.

The hubs and spokes within this shop
Were the best we ever saw-
No damaged timber lay around-
'Twas free from check and flaw.

A critic's eye was on the work,
As every part was made,

Which proves the workmen here employed
Are masters of their trade.

The painting-that is done with skill-
The ironing quite strong;
Each spring and axle tested is,
That nothing may go wrong.

The stock they use throughout this shop
Was found all Simon Pure;

A hint we hope the craft will take,
And strive some faults to cure.

MR. EDITOR-I like your Coachmaker's Magazine, it is needed, and doing good. I like its outspoken, fearless tone, although I may not agree with it in every respect. I hope your life will be spared to carry forward the enterprise which you have so auspiciously commenced. I shall do what I can for the Magazine. I am located so far away from other carriage makers that I shall have to remain a single subscriber, although I have recommended it to others. Yours, truly, B. D.

CINCINNATI, O., Jan. 20th, 1859.

MR. STRATTON : Sir-I am very well pleased with the Magazine, and would not be without it. I do not know of any mechanical magazine that is equal to it, either in mechanics, literature, or the style in which it is gotten up. I subscribed for S-'s Magazine, when it was first issued; I did not like it, but, judging of the difficulties that a new Magazine (and especially a mechanical one) had to encounter, I subscribed for it the second and third year, hoping that it would improve; but it was almost hoping against hope it contained very little else than promises.

When you first issued your Magazine, I concluded to wait, and see whether you kept your promises-you have more than fulfilled them. If that Columbus humbug had never been in existence, you would have five subscribers here [in Cincinnati] to where you have one. I have made several attempts to get up a club, but am almost always met with the remark:"that's another humbug."

MISCELLANY.

is a man of alder

THE JARVEY AND HIS FARE.-Mr. manic proportions. He chartered an outside car t'other day, and drove to the Dublin post-office. On arriving, he tendered the driver sixpence, which was strictly the fare, though but scant remuneration for the distance. The jar vey saw at a glance the small coin, but instead of taking the money he busied himself in putting up the steps of the vehicle; and then going to the well, at the back of the car, took thence a piece of carpeting, from which he shook the dust, and straightway covered his horse's head with it. After doing so he took the "fare" from the passenger, who inquired, "Why did you cover the horse's head?" which the jarvey replied, "Because I didn't want to let the dacent baste see that he carried so big a load so far for sixpence!" It should be added, in justice to the worthy citizen, that a half-crown immediately rewarded the witty jarvey for his ready joke.

CARRIAGES FROM VICTORIA.-Among the imports into San Francisco from Victoria, from Aug. 18th to Dec. 3d, we notice 2 carriages, 14 buggies and 1 wagon. What we wish to know is-have her Majesty's subjects set up as our rivals in the California market, or are these vehicles the property of disappointed returning gold-diggers bringing back what they took away to use?

EXPRESS WAGONS DRAWN BY FLEAS-Professorhas on exhibition, in Broadway, New York, an express wagon to which he harnesses his "industrious fleas." A wag suggests that he drive them up to the Comptroller's office and carry off the well-filled bags stored there. This bit of sarcasm might have been well put, had the suggestion been earlier made; but by this time, we think, it would be difficult to find even a flea-load of city "deposits" remaining in the Hall of Records. Fleas stand a poor chance for spoils among rats.

THIS carriage, as you see it completed, makes a very neat summer phaton, much of its beauty depending on the manner in which it is finished and ornamented. You must, however, exercise your own taste and judg ment on the ornamental part. The manner of showing imitation cane is, to first draw the perpendicular lines parallel to each other the length of the quarter, then the horizontal lines, and they, diagonally-crossed both ways, will give it on a small scale, as near as can be expected. The space under the cane work is intended to be open. Some would prefer this carriage without doors. It can be arranged either way.

LIFE SKETCHES.

SCENE THIRD.

Ir will be seen, in glancing at our illustration, that Master Billy's indiscretions have produced a plentiful harvest of troubles. His present condition reminds us of the case of an ex-editor, who, during his tide of success, gave "promises' of great things. In an evil moment, alas, he allowed his excesses to change his open sea navigation into salt river coasting, until, in June last, the bottom of his craft fell outthe result of his recklessness in running against snags. "Sich is life."

INVENTIONS APPERTAINING TO COACH-MAKING AT HOME AND ABROAD.

AMERICAN PATENTED INVENTIONS. January 11.-MODE OF ATTACHING THILLS TO AXLES.--George Kenny of Milford, N. H., assignor to himself and Josephus Baldwin, of Nashua, N. H.: I do not claim encompassing the bolts, D, in elastic tubes, irrespective of the particular arrangement shown and described. But, I claim the combination of the pressing and locking India rubber tube, E, with the eyes, A A B, and bolt, D, with its nut, E, substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

January 18.-SPOKE MACHINE.-L. J. Dickason and John Frazee, of Georgetown, Ohio: We claim, first, the described mode of operating the cutter frame, J, with its cutters, K, and also the emery wheel, h, and its frame, L, so as to throw them all clear of the spoke, S, after the operation of turning and smoothing, that is to say, we claim the employment of the two arms, RR, "upon the shaft, R, operated by means of a handlever, R," in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

Second, we claim the adjustable spring rests, "N N," when arranged and operating in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

Third, we claim the spring arm, N; spring catch, M; pitman, n; and bent lever, n, in combination with the lever K, clutch, I, and rod L, all arranged and operating so as to throw the pulley wheel, H, in and out of gear with the shaft, G, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

RECENT EUROPEAN PATENTED INVENTIONS. August 21.-George J. Walker, Norton Folgate-Improvements in funeral carriages.

August 27.-John Fowler, jun., Cornhill, and Robert Burton,

Kingsland Road.-Improvements in the construction and arrangement of locomotive and other carriages, to facilitate their movement on common roads and other surfaces.

September 1.-William E. Newton, 66 Chancery Lane-Improvements in springs for carriages and other purposes.

September 4.-Hiram Hyde, Truro, Nova Scotia-Improvements in the construction of carriage-springs.

September 9.-John G. Newberry, Cardiff, Glamorganshire -An improved machine for tapping nuts, bolts, and screws, and other similar purposes.

September 22.-Thomas Howe, Millwall, Poplar-Improvements in smiths' forges.

October 2.-Bernhard Samuelson, Banbury-Improvements in the wheels of carts and other carriages to be used on common roads.

October 6.-Christopher Hill, Great Western Railway, Chippenham Station-Improvements in omnibuses and in apparatus for upholding windows of omnibuses and other carriages.

October 7.-Charles H. Thurnham, Dalston-Improvements in the construction and application of certain mechanical arrangements to be adapted to the wheels of locomotives, carriages, and other vehicles for facilitating their traction or draught.

Largest Bending Establishment in the U. States.

Vol. I.

No. 11.

of bringing his work more prominently before the public,

For the New York Coach-maker's Magazine. BIOGRAPHY OF WM. D. ROGERS, ESQ.

(Concluded from page 188.)

MR. ROGERS was now twenty-seven years of age, though much younger in appearance, and, judging from this, many predicted the certain failure of his undertaking an enterprise, for which a large amount of experience was known to be necessary. These surmises, of course, sprang from a total ignorance of the man, as the very quality in which they judged him to be deficient he possessed to a greater extent than any other coach-maker in Philadelphia, of twice his years. His several journeys among strangers, throwing him constantly upon his own resources, secured to him the fullest training of those moral and mental char

acteristics which find their highest use in surmounting difficulties, and which qualities, it may here be stated, are possessed by few persons in a higher degree than we find them developed in the character of Mr. Rogers. One disadvantage, it is true, was consequent upon his long absence from Philadelphia; he was comparatively friendless and unknown in the city where he now expected to build up a business. It is said by himself that, the day he opened his shop, there was not a man in Philadelphia from whom he could solicit one dollar's worth of work on the score of acquaintance. Yet, this very disadvantage was more than made up by the knowledge he had gained in making this sacrifice. He had not only learned men in his travels, but he had studied the character of the country, and especially the roads, with the view of understanding the character of wheels best adapted to the different localities he visited.

As might be inferred, however, this knowledge could not be made available at the start, and accordingly the first year's experiment was one of more trial than remuneration. But the first year's seed had not been sown in vain. The character of his work, in point of style, finish, and durability, was so entirely satisfactory, that orders began to pour in from all sides, so that the following spring he found it necessary to employ thirty hands. During the second year, he received orders from several persons of distinction and influence, which had the effect

year, his work afforded steady employment to forty-five hands. From time to time he found it necessary to enlarge his facilities for manufacturing, until, after remaining in his first quarters six years, and finding that large additional expenditures on the premises were necessary to afford working room for his operatives—which, in view of the restriction in Girard's will, not to lease any portion of his estate for a longer term than five years-he availed himself of a spacious lot in the northern part of the city, bounded, on three sides, by Sixth, Marshall and Master streets, upon which he erected an immense brick factory, forty feet by one hundred and seventy-two feet, and four stories high. The lot on which it stands has two fronts, of 137 feet each, one on Sixth and one on Marshall street, and a front of 172 feet on Master street. In addition to silver-plating shop, an iron room, lumber sheds, two dwellthe main building, the lot is occupied by a wheel shop, a ings on Marshall street-one for the foreman, and one for the watchman-the whole forming a hollow square for the display of carriages, receiving materials, etc., and when finished was considered the model coach factory of the Union.

In perfect keeping with Mr. Rogers' uniform style of going ahead with what he undertakes, this vast building, constructed in the most complete manner from cupola to foundation-together with all the other buildings namedwas finished in thirteen weeks from the date of its commencement, and in the Spring of 1854 one hundred hands were employed in the establishment.

Notwithstanding the extraordinary facilities Mr. Rogers now possessed for producing an immense amount of work, he, from this time forward, confined his operations entirely to building vehicles to order for consumers, making nothing but the finest quality of work; yet so steady was the increase in the demand for his carriages, that the number of operatives last named had to be enlarged from time to time. In the estimation of his friends, the splendid new quarters in which he was now established were thought to cap the climax of this prince of carriage-builders' ambition, and of a man possessing an ordinary degree of enterprise this judgment might have been correct, but not so of our subject.