PLATE XXXVII.—TANDEM OF MR. T. SUFFERN TAILER
Hitherto the former has been the most popular, doubtless owing to its being the pattern adopted by builders, but it has since yielded place in the estimation of tandem drivers to the dog-cart described (Plate XXXIV.); though both are, and will continue to be, regarded as the highest types of their respective kinds.
The Whitechapel cart derives its name from a locality in the East End of London, not nearly as aristocratic as Belgravia, and was originally intended for some practical purpose, such as hawking vegetables or milk, for example. It is rude in character, and, like the hansom cab, not susceptible of much refinement, and its primitive style is by no means improved by rails, lamps, and fittings of shafts, in bright metals.
Well horsed, with appropriate harness, aprons, and a smart servant, and driven by an accomplished whip, made up in sympathy, a Whitechapel tandem is a most audacious "varmint" turnout.
The shafts of a Whitechapel being straight, in keeping with its sharp, rakish lines, and its wheels being of proper height, a certain amount of open space between the body and carriage is unavoidable; but that objectionable feature may be in some degree obviated, by painting the latter in dark colors, with black striping, although primrose and vermilion on the under-carriage are colors very effective and pleasing.
A dog-cart of the design in the familiar print referred to, as its name and the blinds in its panels imply, was invented for the conveyance of dogs inside, and is quite different in character, as it is also superior in point of comfort, to a Whitechapel.
A slight bend in the shafts near their points is favorable to closer relations of the body and carriage parts than would be possible with straight shafts, a desirable effect in carriage building termed "shutting up the daylight."