Pardon my ignorance, but where does the driver sit in this vehicle? Sideways??
Yep, sideways. Though I would hesitate to call this a true “Governess Cart” as I think they are supposed to be closed in, so they can contain the youngsters.
I see. Thank you.
I’ve seen pictures of governess carts that seem to be a basket or bucket shape . . . I always assumed there was a little bench or something for the governess in the front! This funny crossover vehicle gave me a look at the seating arrangements but left me confused about where the driver is supposed to ride, and I appreciate the clarification.
The classical Governess cart was a small cart with sideways facing benches surrounded by an enclosure
Frequently in the later 1800s this was a wood body with a wicker fence
Usually it was a cart for driving a pony - particularly the small Welsh or Shetland
like this
[U]http://www.relhok.ca/rfcarcol.htm
http://www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk/stolen/governess_cart_2.jpg
[/U]they also have a couple other gorgeous carriages to drool over
The cart you showed IS used as a governess cart but more typically it is called a tub cart, and drawn by a horse, for adults
the second image shows that cart type with a driver, so you can see the sideways position. Very typical of what it would have looked like with a pony but it would have been loaded with kids 
We had the opportunity to drive one of those many years ago. A friend at our boarding barn imported one from the Gypsies in Ireland but had no horse to drive it
We had a horse but no fancy cart so we struck a deal . . .
My first horse Harry “loved” that cart
even though it was very heavy and he was a bit small for it. It was very well balanced for him and once he got it rolling - it actually rolled “around” him and he could sit back in the traces and just let it happed - smart horse
My next horse Mel - who was sized right for it - thought it was too much work to pull and was never good with it.
Can the driver choose to sit on either side, or is one side more correct than the other?
It is neither a governess cart, nor a tub cart - both of which are enclosed on all sides and designed with back entry doors.
This is nothing more than a common meadowbrook cart with the seat offset to one side so that an opposing seat can be added.
The right side is traditionally correct…but…because you have to twist your body to drive this hybred creation, I would think you’d sit on whichever side is the most comfortable for you to be turned
The older drawings I have seen of Governess Carts or Tub Carts containing children, have the Adult in the back corner! This lets Adult keep control of the door to exit, makes a straighter line to the rein terrets. Though if animal is quite small, the line will break over the rein rail from hands to terrets.
This back corner position allows Adult to keep an eye on ALL the children at ALL TIMES! No cranking your head around, because kids are FAST and can make poor choices quickly!! Adult in back corner is not twisted in body, so ride is more comfortable too.
I would agree that photo is a VERY strange adaptation of a Roadcart/Meadowbrook basket with shafts and straight axle. Not a Tub or Governess Cart because the basket is so open with slatted floor. Not sure how it would ride, balance would probably be off for the horse with 4 passengers. Might be tippy on rougher ground with so much weight up high. Tub and Governess carts have a “cranked” axle that allows body down between the wheels for keeping weight low and less tippy. Plus they seldom traveled at much speed, to keep kids safer.
Guess someone had “a vision” when they came up with the parallel seats on that cart. Would be interesting to see it hitched and loaded, watch how it traveled. There is a REASON this is the first time I have EVER seen this design!! Reason is that design probably has strong limitations in real use.
