Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/108



John Farey, Esq. 10 August, 1831. Carriage?—Yes. I have always passed through crowds of horses and Carriages with all the Steam Coaches I have tried; there is so much curiosity excited by the novelty of a Steam Coach in motion, that all the horses on the road are drawn up to get a sight of it, and many are turned to follow after it; I have observed that some horses take very little notice of the Steam Coach; others are a little startled, but I never saw any difficulty which the reins could not control with the greatest ease; horses are easily alarmed at any thing unusual, but they very soon become accustomed to any thing, as is shown by the readiness with which horses can be brought to endure discharges of firearms and of artillery. A patent was taken out some years ago for what was called a Travelling Advertizer;, it was a small four-wheeled Carriage, supporting an enormous octagonal tower, which was stuck all over the outside with printed bills for advertizements; it was drawn very slowly through the streets by one horse, and had a most unusual appearance: this machine was indicted as a nuisance because it frightened horses.

Have you never observed horses to shy at a Stage Coach when heavily laden?—I have observed horses to be alarmed at the enormous bulk which some of the vans carry at times at a great height above ground; horses are the most timid animals to encounter every thing that they are not accustomed to, and the most courageous animals to encounter every thing that they are accustomed to, even when really terrific, such as discharges of fire arms.

Had you occasion to turn any sharp corners when in Mr. Hancock's Carriage?—Yes, many; the yard of his premises is exceedingly narrow and inconvenient to turn into and out from, but it is done with ease by the Steam Coach; but the same place would not do at all for a coach and four horses to put up at.

Going at what speed can you turn round a sharp corner without any danger?-I do not remember turning with any considerable speed, nor should it ever be attempted with any Carriage if it can be avoided, and there can be no pretence or necessity