brougham

Definition

(Noun) A heavy, enclosed, four-wheeled carriage with a platform-type suspension. It was suspended on steel, leaved springs, full elliptic in the front and sometimes in the rear. Often the rear spring was a modified version of a platform spring, that is to say four interlinked (in the corners) half-elliptic springs in a square, mounted under the body. The front axle had a full-turn pivot (called a fifth-wheel) that allowed superior maneuverability in tight locations and heavy traffic.
The Brougham was considered a gentleman's vehicle, however was often used by ladies as well. It seated two in the rear and sometimes had a (rear-facing) jump-seat on the front of the passenger cabin for children. It might be said that the brougham, with it's fixed roof, was the enclosed version of the victoria, which was open with a folding top.
The brougham was correctly turned out with either a single or pair of horses. It was an elegant, dignified vehicle favored by wealthy businessmen and aristocrats. Therefore, it required the finest, though best behaved, of horses.