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JULY.

THE NEW YORK COACH-MAKER'S MAGAZINE.

Trimming Room.

DESIGN FOR TRIMMING.

THE above design, contributed by Mr. H. Menshausen, of New York City, is not new, but is very rare, and perhaps we might be justified in saying that there are less than a dozen trimmers in the United States who understand its practical application. At any rate, its rarity justifies our giving it a place in our Magazine. The cut is merely designed to illustrate this peculiar feature, and we have consequently shown the braided arms more in a lateral perspective than would accord with correct mechanical laws.

BRAID FOR ARMS AND FRONTS OF CUSHIONS.

In the second place, we give an enlarged view of a section of braid as it would appear before being stretched endwise and seamed into a coach or other job, which, after such an operation, would appear with smoother edges and more elongated strands.

The trimmings should be formed on a scale sufficiently large to cover a three inch arm, by cutting four long strips of coteline, or silk, each three inches wide, and "whipping" them together. The pipes should afterwards be stuffed with cotton, but not too hard, as by so doing the elasticity requisite in a job of this description would be destroyed. The four strands having been thus properly prepared, should now be braided together in a plait as shown above. The reader has doubtless seen plaits, of a imilar character in appearance, made of dark or other

colored ribbon, intended to imitate the hair worn by ladies,
around the comb, at the back of the head, as a head-dress.
The strands should be laid in such a manner, in forming
the braid, as to bring all the seams on the bottom side of
the plait. Some first-class houses in New York, Bridge-
port and New Haven use this style of trimming, but only
on first-class coach work and generally on work ordered
for a foreign market.

The objections to this style of trimming are: first, the
cost, and, secondly, its compactness. But in large factories
the building of fine coaches is an everyday affair, and it
becomes necessary for the proprietors of such to economize
and follow a less expensive and plainer style, except on
some particular occasion; whereas, in shops where this
mode of trimming is only adopted occasionally, they often
lavish an amount of labor in other ways expensive and be-
fore which even this rich finish appears economical. As to
its compactness, it bears no comparison to the herring-bone
style, and when rightly made is as soft as any ordinary roll-
work. But, in coach work, many consider downy softness
and ease the greatest desideratum, to obtain which every
other consideration must be sacrificed; hence, the broad,
soft diamond, unrelieved by a finishing border of any kind,
is a universal favorite, amongst, at least, piece workmen and
economical manufacturers.

In order to relieve the apprehensions of our friends, who may think, from the example of a cotemporary, that we have resurrected another Mister McLane, who so suddenly sickened and died "one day," after getting out of a job with his original employer, we would state that our contributor is well known, and stands as foreman in one of our largest city establishments.

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The New York Coach-maker's Magazine. time to read, but will pick up the Magazine, glance at the

JULY 1, 1858.

E. M. STRATTON & M. G. TOUSLEY, Editors.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. "J. T., OF IND."-We have always found that ground white lead, thinned with spirits of turpentine, was the best article in which to drive the spokes into the hub of a wheel designed for a business wagon, since it effectually resists the action of the weather, to which they are constantly exposed; but for all pleasure carriages, where the wheels are kept well painted, we decidedly give glue the preference.

"L. H., OF -."-The allusion to the individual who you "think has run out of soap" would be decidedly rich-were it a fact; but, as that mine is apparently inexhaustible, we fear that your suspicions are groundless. Soft soap, you know, is a first-rate article for cleaning dirty clothes; but it is not very agreeable to have applied to one's face, with an additional rubbing in. We very naturally conclude that such a person's room is better than his company.

"T. S., OF CONN.," who manifests so great an interest in the success of this publication, will feel very much gratified when we inform him that, notwithstanding the hard times, we obtained over forty subscribers in the first shop canvassed for this magazine, in the city of New York. The summing up in this city amounts to 250. The most successful year of a similar publication never reached above 55 subscribers.

"B. P. S., of C. E."-We have no means of ascertaining why the "pome" in our Western cotemporary for March was ornamented with a cut at the head. We can only guess that it was intended to show that somebody was in distress.

"A. W., OF IND.," "S. H. OF WIS.," AND OTHERS.-You will please remember that in all cases where you write to us solely on your own personal business, we require an envelope with your address and a stamp attached to prepay postage on our answer thereto-and unless this is attended to no notice need be expected. Our postage bill is very large, and were we, in addition to our own yearly expenses, to add that of others, we fear our profits would be swallowed up very soon.

HOW TO READ THE MAGAZINE. THERE is a certain order to be observed in the reading of a book, or magazine, as well as in any mechanical undertaking. A literary man can measure the attainments of his neighbor by simply handing him a morning paper. If he is illiterate, the first page is as apt to arrest his attention as the news, or leading editorial, and in nine cases out of ten he will mistake an advertisement, or business notice, for an editorial item; in which case, he will conclude that Editors are great falsifiers.

In this age there are but few persons who cannot read; still, of the entire number who know how to read, there are very few who can understand and judge correctly; and, yet, that class who understand the least are in many cases the loudest critics.

In all conditions of life this class of readers are numerous, and we doubt not but many such will be found on our list. But the worst class of readers, and those whom we most dread, is that smart class of men who can find no

fashion plate, pass a complacent criticism, and throw it aside. Bill Muggins, who served his time as blacksmiths' assistant at Carelessville, thinks that the "draft with a horse drawing it is too Frenchy." Mr. Bell, who is a reading man, turns silently to the explanations, and by careful examination not only learns the particular object in placing the others before the public, but finds that the one alluded to is a French design, and given as such; and, when he reflects that those lithographic models are very costly, and much sought after as suggestors by American designers, congratulates himself and the readers of the Magazine generally upon their good fortune in being thus able to obtain a dozen or more, at so trifling a cost. Another, whose eye is not trained to detect the minor differences of sweep, moulding, or style of finish, and who is in constant danger of mistaking a Tilbury for a Buggy, or a Cab for a Coupé, glances at the plain practical working drafts "without learning anything;" he at last comes to some serio-comical affair like the chariot of Queen Mab, in our last number, or some other flighty invention, and is greatly edified.

One is constantly looking for some strange thing to excite his marvelousness, and another condemns everything that is not particularly adapted to the wants of his locality, each, of course, looking at the drafts as though they were made to order for his own particular use, and Rowdy Bob, Dutch Jake and Yankee Bill all agree-though they never examined it critically-that the Magazine is out of joint. The real difficulty with all these critics is, that they read and understand the Magazine in too careless and superficial a manner. They glance through it in an unsystematic way, understand things as they read them," wrong end foremost," get the peculiar notion of some correspondent marked down against the Editors, or some advertiser's display digested as an editorial humbug, and by this cross-firing process addle their own brains more and more. Now, all will admit that no one should know how a book ought to be read and judged of better than those who make it. So we will venture to offer a few suggestions.

First, look at the plate next to the title-page, and then turn silently to the page refered to under the draft, after reading the explanation and referring back to the illustration, until its peculiarities and the object of inserting it are clearly understood, then examine the next, and so on until all are understood. Next turn to the editorial department, and see if they make any remarks about the plates; if so, read them, and then read the rest of the items and leaders. You have then got the key to the book, and can turn either to the business, communicated, or mechanical departments. But, above all things, avoid reading the Magazine, or even opening it in the workshop during working hours; should you allow your curiosity to get the better of your judgment, you will destroy the relish of a second reading by too hasty

a perusal, and then, when you sit down to an evening study and have a suitable opportunity therefor, the charm which never fails to attend first impressions will be gone. It is, we confess, no easy task for an inquisitive person to receive a Magazine in the morning and let it remain unopened on his work-bench until he has finished the day's toil, and seated himself at home for the evening. But, since it will test your self-government, and strengthen your weak points, let us insist upon it, that you reserve the first charm for a leisure perusal.

Another caution; be particular to identify each article you read with its own proper author, and note the department in which the article is found. The observance of these rules will save you much confusion, and afford particular gratification to the Editors.

PROSPECTIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

We have received a spicy article from the graphic pen of Mr. James Scott, entitled "The Fast Journeyman-a Sketch," which came too late for this number, but will appear in our next; also, a highly interesting continuation of our co-laborer's "Notes of Travel" from New Haven and Bridgeport, giving his impressions of the scenery, business, and other matters of interest to our readers, which, with other communicated and original articles deeply interesting, we feel no delicacy in saying, will present a galaxy of versatile talent and varied interest which will not fail in pleasing our numerous and intelligent readers.

We have, likewise, engaged several artists, in different sections of the country-no less than six-whose talents will assist in making this Magazine worthy of the craft whose name it bears, but whose names we do not care to parade before the reader; but shall let them introduce themselves some one monthly.

soon.

Messrs. Heddenberg & Littell, of Newark, N. J., have promised us a draft of a carriage they are constructing for our Royal cousins in England, which we intend to give We would further announce to our subscribers, that we are about making arrangements with Mr. Lewis Brosi, who contemplates traveling in Europe the coming season, for a monthly correspondence. Should he go, as he now intends, he will travel extensively through England, France and Germany, giving us pen and pencil sketches of everything that may be either useful or interesting to coachmakers here. Through his agency, we hope to secure the regular correspondence of some competent local craftsman, in London, Berlin and other Continental cities.

The "Geometry of Carriage Architecture" will be given as soon as it can be properly presented. We purpose to commence with its simple element, and carry it out in every branch of the art; but it must be right before giving it to the public, even should it be deferred two or three months longer We speak thus cautiously-not with the

intention of deceiving, but with the determination, if possible, of avoiding the rock upon which a cotemporary made shipwreck, by holding out false pretenses.

са.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. SHOULD any doubt remain in the minds of our friends, as to the success of our enterprise, they will please dismiss it at once. Our confidence in this respect is founded in the fact that we have received up to this date-being four weeks since our first issue-fully one-third of the number of subscribers ever taken for any similar publication in AmeriWhen it is remembered that there are not more than half the number of coach-makers employed now, which there was three years ago, this may appear exaggeration, but, nevertheless, we declare such is the fact. The very first shop in the city, into which we introduced our Magazine, gave us over forty names, and the remaining shops have done proportionably as well. The second city canvassed was New Haven, where we obtained even more subscribers than here. These two cities have given us over five hundred subscribers. New Haven "goes in" entirely for our new enterprise, and declares that "the New York Magazine must be supported if it takes their last dollar." When the Yankees talk in this manner, there is very little danger of our being "run off the track" by envy. There is another very encouraging fact-it is this, that although our Eastern friends subscribe liberally when they are visited, still the most of our subscribers by mail are from the South and West, particularly from the State of Ohio. We already have ordered a reprint of our first, and have enlarged our edition with this No. We know that at the present time, we have a larger circulation than any CoachMaker's Journal on this continent, and therefore say that this Magazine presents the best medium, for advertising any wares pertaining to the manufacture of carriages, ever published. We trust, therefore, that those who are patronizing other journals, which are scarcely seen by fifty coach-makers in America, will consider it to be for their interest to send along their favors, where we engage to send them among 20,000! See the

Rates of Advertising in this Magazine:
Transient, per line, each insertion,

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50

$2 00

8 00

12 00

25 00

48 00

65 00

80 00

Whole page, or whole plate advertisement taken at proportionably low rates.

TERMS. All amounts less than $25, payable in advance; from $25 to $48, in 90 days from first insertion; for all sums exceeding that, 6 months from first insertion, or cash, less 5 per cent. Acceptances or Checks to be forwarded with the corrected proofsheet.

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-D. Price & Fitzgerald, " OUR patrons will find the cards of the manufacturers and dealers above alluded to by reference to our advertising

columns.

Those interested should read each advertisement carefully. Our Magazine contains none but those that appeal directly to the pocket interest of the purchaser; so that even the minor shades of phraseology are worthy of study and reflection. We would suggest to our readers the propriety of patronizing the above houses, from the fact that they have stood the test of the hard times, and now come before the craft to solicit their patronage, and the same spirit of enterprise and the same desire to extend their business, in a legitimate and honorable way, will not only act as a spur to keep them in the van of markets and styles, but will induce them to deal fairly and liberally in order to keep their customers from going abroad.

If there is anything which is pleasant, it is to deal with a man who wants custom, and who is sufficiently affable to make it known by asking customers to come and deal with him. If there is anything calculated to throw a feeling of disgust over the sensibilities of a finely-wrought nature, it is to meet with a dry "old crust" who is so self-sufficient as to imagine that the world could not move on without him, and so unsocial that it would break his back to invite a customer to call. Their goods are generally as antiquated as their notions. None but liberal-minded men advertise. Read what they say.

We give in our Home Circle, this month, the first chapter of a beautiful mechanical story, to be continued in our August and concluded in the September number of

this Magazine, which, for beauty of conception and tenderness in narration, has seldom been excelled. We hope to be favored with further communications from the same refined and cultivated pen, which we feel confident will be read with the most satisfactory pleasure and profit by every individual in whose heart there flows a love for pure and genuine domestic life. The fair authoress has touched a chord, which must awaken sympathy for that poor but ingenious class of mechanics, whose consumption of the system and the midnight oil has brought abundance and luxuries to a world of less useful minds, but who seldom, as in the case of Charles A. Henderson, ever become so fortunate as to obtain a pecuniary reward for their indispensable labor. But we are anticipating.

Will the friends of THE NEW YORK COACH-MAKER'S MAGAZINE take the trouble to show it to every Coach-Maker within their reach, whether boss or journeyman, and urge them to subscribe for it at once? By so doing you will not only aid its circulation, but at the same time will benefit others. The importance of encouraging such a work as ours, at the present time, will be apparent on a little reflection, and, as the times are a little hard, we hope to have a little gratuitous effort from all who have long desired to see an organ for the craft aiming to take a high position among other publications of the day. We hope, also, to have such communications from our friends qualified by experience and ingenuity, as shall impart variety and freshness to our columns. Even should they be a little rough, they will be none the less acceptable, as the Editors will see that they are properly "dressed up" for the public eye.

Our June No. was sent to a great number of subscribers whose names had been sent in before publication, some of whom have forwarded their subscriptions, but there are still many who have forgotten that our terms are in advance.

There are likewise some to whom the first No. was sent in hopes of getting their names for our work before his issue; to all these we would say, we want all the patronage we can command, and, which is equally important to us, all the money we can get. Will our friends see what they can do for our enterprise, in perfecting clubs, &c. Please examine our notice to club agents on page 17, June No.

Those who value our Magazine and are preserving it to be bound at the close of the year, are invited to look at Mr. Stocking's advertisement on the cover. He proposes to have suitable and characteristic stamps, of original design, made expressly for our work. All our subscribers who can, conveniently, will do well to remember this fact, and favor him with their patronage. When bound (and we intend to furnish title-page and table of contents with the May No.) it will make a handsome volume of literary and mechanical matter, either for the workshop or parlor table, and something that will increase in interest

JULY.

THE NEW YORK COACH-MAKER'S MAGAZINE.

especially will it be so to your children--long after you have ceased to use the drawing-knife and plane.

CALIFORNIA LIFE ILLUSTRATED.-Our friend, the Rev. William Taylor, who appears equally at home, whether standing on the head of a whisky barrel on the dock preaching, or facing the gamblers in the streets of San Francisco, has sent us a copy of a book he has just issued, with the title which heads this article. We have read it through (a thing we rarely do), and can say we have been very much delighted with the author's story from beginning to end. Its instructive and moral tone recommends it to reader who wishes to avoid the quicksands on which every many an unfortunate man has been wrecked, in his search after that, the love of which has been pronounced to be the root of all evil. Published at 200 Mulberry st., N. Y.

TRADE SUMMARY.

In this city trade is quite dull, manufacturers not employing more than half the usual number of hands they have been accustomed to, except in one or two instances. In better times the number of men in this branch of business amounted to about 1000.

A correspondent at Madison, Wis., reports business as being "very poor and money very scarce."

From Willoughby, O., we learn that trade "is awful," and "you cannot begin to think how hard the times are. Provisions are cheap, but there is no money to buy with."

In contrast with the above, another correspondent, at Rainsboro, O., says: "Our business in this section of country is improving very much."

In New Haven, Conn., the men are mostly working at reduced wages, but are full of hope that business will soon improve and banish the effects of a dull winter, through which they have recently passed.

In Canada trade is said to be as dull as it is generally in the United States, which we had hoped had not been the

case.

The Australian trade, which is chiefly in the hands of our Boston friends, may be said to be "no better than elsewhere."

The California market is glutted, and although very little beside "jobbing" is done there, still that strange land has a supply of carriages for at least one year. The average exportations thither from New York, Boston, and a few other parts, are about seventy-five wagons and carriages monthly. Invoice prices are rarely netted to the shipper, when risks, interests, commissions, &c., are very sure to eat up all his profits.

DISCOVERY OF A LEIBNITZ MS.-Accounts from Hanover announce that a manuscript, entirely written by Leibnitz, and forming part of a refutation of Spinosa, which was never completed, has just been discovered in that city.

Editorial Shavings.

CARRIAGES IN THE "EXPOSITION OF SWISS INDUSTRY." -An intelligent correspondent of Porter's Spirit of the Times, writing from Switzerland, says he saw there, from the canton of Berne, a very handsomely finished private carriage, the price of which was 3,500 fr. (or about $245). The workmanship is excellent, and the "entire build," in lightness and elegance, only equaled by some of our own. A trotting wagon from the Canton of manufacturers. Aargau, very excellently built, and intended for a double or single team. The wheels are light and well put together; price 350 francs, (or about $56). This price is evidently not the manufacturer's first price, as the vehicle had seen some service. Two private carriages from the Canton of Zurich, price 2,600 francs, or about $416; and 2,800 francs, The corners of the or about $448; elegantly finished. window (window glasses), ground glass, of one of them, flowered with border lines, had a very good effect. A diligence, a sort of stage-coach, got up without regard to expense; also, a traveling carriage, got up without regard to horses! as it must have weighed tons. Every spoke of the wheels would have served for a "back-log," to a woodfire."

THE FIRST COACH IN ENGLAND, &c.-The first coach in England appears to have made its appearance in 1557, or eight years after its introduction into France. It was rudely constructed, and, as the art of making was not yet understood in England, it was imported from the Continent. It was not until the close of the sixteenth century when carriages of good workmanship were employed by persons of quality. Henry IV. had one, but without straps or springs. In the age of Queen Elizabeth they had assumed various forms, under the name of Whirlicotes. The Duke of Buckingham, in 1610, drove six horses, and the Duke of Northumberland, in rivalry, drove eight. Carriages were first let for hire in Paris, in 1650, at the Hotel France, and hence their name.

THUNDER-BOLTS AND BROKEN AXLE-TREES.-The ancient poets, particularly Homer and Virgil, were very fond of magnifying the virtues of thunderbolts, and consequently have represented the old sooty god, Vulcan, as employing his choicest and best workmen in the manufacture of that article, of which he is reported to have had the oversight. In words of implication, the poet slanderously lessen s the importance of chariot building, when he says: "Inferior ministers [workmen] for Mars repair His broken axletrees."

Had old Mars been half as particular as some men in our day are, he would not have "stood that anyhow." Just as if a simple thunderbolt of old Jove would require more skill in its production, than would be required in

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