Old horse drawn conveyances

For years I wondered about the different kinds of horse drawn conveyances that were mentioned in my reading. Now Wikipedia is a convenient reference explaining the differences among some of them.

To start with, carriages and wagons have four wheels, but a carriage is distinguished from a wagon by having a suspension system of leaf-springs or some leather contraption. "A vehicle that is not sprung is a wagon" says Wikipedia. A significant distinction that shows up in the standard dictionary pictures is what kind cover there is for the occupants. And another is whether the driver has a separate special seat.

Then there are also those two-wheeled conveyances:
That four-wheel/two axel requirement for carriages seems to be contradicted by Wikipedias own entry for a "Hansom cab" or fly (evolved from Cabriolet), which it also calls a carriage.

Donna Leon Mysteries

I am hooked on the mystery series set in Venice by American expatriot Donna Leon.
She has a decent web site which suggests that she is highly opinionated.
I think the Wikipedia article is pretty accurate. The books are very evocative of the city of Venice and its region, and full of predjudice against the south and cynical about government.
I first read 'Aqua Alta' some years ago,

Now I got the first three of the dozen or so extant, and have enjoyed them, though I don't think they are as well crafted as her more recent ones.

Indian Books

Read some good Indian books after one fine one for our book club.

A Fine Balance - R. Mistry
The Sari Shop -

Waiting to get the well-regarded book by Arundhati Roy - The God of Small Things.