The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-22
GOING ON WHEELS
From the Ancient Chariot to the
Modern MotOTcar.
EVOLUTION OF THE VEHICLE.
Yhs Crude Carts Used In the Early
Aoos by the Romans Wore Followed
by Carriases-Then Came Covered
3 Coaches With Doors and Windows.

the automobile has the evolution of
the vehicle expanded. For hundreds
OF years the chariot reigned supreme,
and, bearing fair resemblance to It
even in this day, crude forms of carts
On two wheels are to be seen in India,
China, Ceylon, Mexico and other coun-
tries. In China centuries ago the mon
ccycle was in great favor. This odd
vehicle, much like the modern wheel
barrow, Is still In general use in many
parts of the country and is propelled
by man power.
Among the two wheeled vehicles in
popular use In the Asiatic world may
be mentioned the "ekka," largely used
In northern India, and the famed lin
rikisha Of Japan. The Romans first
established the use of carriages as
private means of conveyance, and with
them these vehicles attained q great
variety of form as well as OF orna-
mentation.
In all ages the employment of wheel.
ed vehicles has depended largely upon
the condition of the roads ON which
they were to be used, and the building
Of great highways, such as the Appian
way by Claudius In 313 b. c., as well
m many others, greatly facilitated the
development of carriage travelling
among the Romans. In Rome as well
as In other large cities Of the empire
Il became necessary to restrict travel
In carriages to few persons of high
rank owing to the narrowness and
crowded condition of the streets. For
the same reason the transport Of goods
along the streets was forbidden be-
tween sunrise and sunset. For long
journeys and to convey parties the
''reda" and "carruca" appear to have
bean mostly used.
i During the empire tho carriage which
appears in pictorial representations of
public ceremOnlals is the "carpentum."
1t is very light, with two wheels, some
times covered and generally drawn by
two horses. If carriage was drawn
by four horses they were yOked abreast
among the Greeks and Romans, not In
pairs. as now. From the Roman "car-
ruca" are traced the modern English
name carriage" the French Car
rocse" and the Italian "carrozza."
The "sirpea" was very ancient form
Of vehicle, the body Of which was Of
Osier basketwork. 1t originated with
the Gauls, by whom 1t was named
'benna," and was employed by them
for the conveyance Of persons and
Doo,ls In times Of peace and baggage
and supplies I'm time of war.
On the introduction of the feudal sys-
TEN throughout Europe the use OF car
siages was for some time prohibited as
tending to render the vassals less At
for military service. Men Of all grades
and professions rode on horses or mules.
Horseback was the general mode of
travelling, and hence the members of
t1e council, who at the diet and on
other occasions were employed as am
baRsadors, were called "rittmeister."
IN this manner also great lords made
thslr public entry into cities
Covered carriages were known In the
beginning of the fifteenth century, but
their use was confined to ladies of the
arss rank, and it was accounted a re-
proach for men TO ride In them. For
n long time they were forbidden even
20 women, but by the end OF the If.
teenih century they were being en-
pioyed by kings and princes In long
Journeys and later on state occasions
The first time that ambassadors APP
poared in coaches on a public official
occasion was at the imperial commits
mon held at Erfurt In 1913. Soon after
This coaches became common all over
Germany, notwithstanding various or
ders and admonItlons TO deter vassals
from using them.
Carriages seem to have been used Il
some extent at quite an early peGod IN
France, for there IL still eXtant an
ordinance of Philip the Fair issued IN
1924, by which citizens wives are pro
hibited from using them. 1t appears
however, that about 1850 there Were
only three carriages In Paris-one be
longing to the queen. another to Diana
OF PoitIers and the third TO Rene dc
Laval, a very fat nobleman who was
unable to ride on horseback
The first coach in England wai
made in 1855 for the Earl of RutlanC
by Walter Rlppon. who also made 1
coach In 1855 for Queen Mary and IN
1904 a state coach for Queen Elizabeth
By the beginning OF the seventeenth
century the use OF carriages an(
coaches had become 30 prevalent II
England that in 1901 the attention o.
parliament was drawn to the subject
and a bill Ito restrain the excessive
ADe or coaches" was introduced. which
however, was rejected.
In regard 10 carriage construction, 1
would seem that glass windows O
hinged and completed doors were vn
known prior TO 1850. Public carriages
Sor hire. or hackney coaches. were In
trOduced into London in 1925 and rap
Idly grew In popularity. Notwithstand
ing the opposition OF the king ant
court, whS thought they would ruiz
the roads. they grew to number owe
800 by 1850. In Paris they were In
trOduced during the minority OF Loui
XIV. by Nicholas Savage. who liveC
Ia the Rue st. Martin at the sign o.
81. Fiacre. from which clrcumstanc,
hackney carriages In Paris have sine,
been called 'tiacres." BY 1894 ther,
were over T0n of fhaaa convavonca. a,