Carriage, a vehicle which is employed in conveying persons, goods, merchandize, etc. from one place to .mother, and is usually constructed with two, or four wheels.

Carriages have various names, which, together with their structure, are so generally known, as to render any description of them unnecessary. From their great utility, more, particularly when applied to the purposes of familyconvenience, they have excited the attention of the most ingenious artisans, who have sedulously studied to improve them. Hence a variety of experiments have been made, in order to ascertain the best, and most proper mode of constructing them, and preventing the different obstacles which tend to impede their motion. To discuss these, would be to embark into too wide a held of inquiry into the principles of mechanics, and to deviate from that plan of conciseness we have adopted. Those of our readers, who may be desirous of acquiring minute information on this subject, will be gratified by a perusal of Mr. Anstice's "Re-marks on Wheel- Carriages, " 1789, 8vo. 2s. 6d., in which it is fully and ingeniously investigated; and the rules for constructing wheel-carriages are laid down, according to the strictest principles of mechanics.

Carriage - In August, 1800, a patent was granted to Mr. Isaac Hadley Reddell, for a new method of constructing carriages, intended to convey merchandize, either by land or by water; and which may be removed (whether loaded or unladen), from the water to the land, and vice versa, with ease, expedition, and safety. The patentee makes the bodies of any size or shape required, principally of wood ; but, to strengthen, and render the different parts watertight, they are connected with iron, or other suitable material. A proper number of wheels are next affixed, either in recesses, or in narrow boxes or compartments, that are so constructed as to resist the water: these wheels are farther so arranged, that the bottom of the carriages be not more than six, nor less than three inches, above the ground. When in the water, the carriages thus adjusted, may be fastened together, and drawn by one horse ; but, in the contrary case, it becomes necessary to separate them, and draw them up an inclined plane. - A more particular description of this curious contrivance, is inserted in the 14th vol. of the " Repertory of Arts, " etc.

In the year 1800, the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, etc. conferred a bounty of 30 guineas on Mr. George Davis, for his invention, calculated to prevent passengers in carriages from being injured, when horses have taken fright. As a mere verbal account would not convey an adequate idea of this useful machinery, we are under the necessity of referring the reader to the 18th vol. of the " Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, " etc. where the whole is illustrated with an engraving. - Let it suffice to remark, that the apparatus is fixed behind the splinter-bar of a carriage ; and the communication is, by means of a copper chain, carried through the boot to the side of the coach-box ; so that, in case the horses take fright, or the reins break, the coachman can discharge the animals instantaneously. An advantage peculiar to this contrivance is, that the horses can be liberated even when the poles are at right angles, or are locked close to the perch; a position which otherwise overturns a carriage. - Mr. Davis's invention has been exhibited with complete success, in the presence of His Majesty, a Co mittee of the Society, and many-other spectators; but, as apprehension was entertained that passengers might suffer injury, from the motion of the carriage, after the horses were disengaged, Mr. D. has added a gripe lor stopping the wheels ; so that, by one pull of the chain, the animals may be discharged, and two bolts be propelled on the nave of the two fore-wheels, in such manner as effectually to retard their motion.