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     THE WHEELWRIGHT.
  THIS IS one amongst the most useful
trades we have, as it contributes so largely
to the transfer of most of our supplies.
There can be no doubt but this business
must be amongst the most ancient, as ne-
cessity would naturally suggest to man the
use of some kind of carriage, and which
must have wheels of some description.
The improvements that have been made in
wheels of late years, has been very con-
siderable; and at the present time, our car-
riage wheels are manufactured on better
principles, and by far neater executed than
in any other country. In London, the ma-
nufacture of wheels for pleasure carriages,
is a distinct branch; but in the country
towns, a wheelwright not only makes all de-
scription of wheels, but also carts, waggons,
and other carriages not requiring fine work-
manship. This business is a very laborious
one; and as it requires great strength, lads
of delicate constitution are not fit for it.
The wood chiefly used by them is oak,
ash, and elm; and their tools are much the
same as those of a carpenter.  The wheel
is principally composed of two parts, the
nave, into which the spokes are placed,
and the rim, on which the tire is fixed.