Exercise of riding in a Carriage, must not be super-curious about
having it suspended on extremely elastic Springs. The Jolting of strong
Springs is a salutary concussion, which is extremely convenient to
Nervous, Indolent, and Infirm persons who do not take other Exercise,
and must be classed among the most agreeable of Anti-bilious remedies.
The Coachmaker’s usual phrase of commendation--that such a Carriage
“is as easy as a Boat,” should be a prohibition to Invalids against
purchasing it; who should prefer a Carriage with Strong Springs, that
will give them as good a shaking as Equestrian Agitation.
TO DETERMINE THE RELATIVE ADVANTAGES OF LONG AND SHORT CARRIAGES,
“A weight of _twenty-eight pounds_ was placed in the middle of a _Perch
one foot six inches long_, and it was drawn at the rate of five miles
and a half an hour by twelve pounds.
“When the same load was placed upon a perch three feet long, that is to
say, _twice as long as the former perch_, it required _precisely the
same weight of twelve pounds to draw it_.
“This experiment was repeated a number of times with the same result,
so that it may be relied upon. This is contrary to the opinion of
drivers of all descriptions, from the waggoner in his smock-frock, to
the high-bred Coachman: consequently, there must be some reason for
this universal prejudice. The reason that seems to have given rise to
this opinion, is, that carriages whose fore and hind wheels are near
each other, extricate themselves more readily from ruts, change quarter
more easily, turn in a shorter compass, and thus make their way in
crowded Streets with more facility than longer Carriages.”--_R. L.
Edgeworth on Roads and Carriages_, 8vo. p. 120. 1817.
However, _Short Carriages_ are considered as of easiest draught; and,
to use the language of the Stable, almost every Coachman and Coachmaker
insists upon it, that they _follow better_, and that a Long Carriage
will tire a pair of Horses more in _Three_, than a Short one will in
Five hours’ Travelling.
That if the Body is hung higher behind than it is before, so that it
leans forward, it will push on the fore Wheels, is a foolish Vulgar
Error. You often see Hackney Chariots so hung:--such a position is
uneasy to the Passengers, and of no advantage to the Horses.
In a Chariot, it adds to the elegance of its appearance, and the ease
of the passengers, if the Body is hung rather lower behind than it is
before; but not in a Coach, because what is gained on the front is lost
on the back Seat.
CAUTIONS
AGAINST PURCHASING OF
CHEAP SECOND-HAND CARRIAGES.
“_Caveat Emptor._”
“_Beware of Putty and Paint_,”
Mr. JERVIS told me must be the Motto for this Chapter, and that
“_He who Buys,
Had need have an Hundred Eyes._”
_Old Proverb._
Those who purchase Second-Hand Carriages ought to be extremely
circumspect indeed. Inexperienced People are apt to imagine, that if
the Price charged for a Carriage is only one-half of what a respectable
Coachmaker has told them that he must charge them for a New One, that
it must be a Cheap Bargain; when it is most likely not actually worth
one quarter of that sum.
“_Experto Crede._”
Let no person venture to purchase without the advice of a Coachmaker.
It is easy enough to make an old worn-out Carriage appear fresh and
fair by the help of Paint and Putty, while at the same time, it may be
more fit to be broken up than to be made use of.
To promote the Sale of a Carriage, it is not seldom pretended, that it
belongs to _Sir Richard Whimmy_, or to some other Gentleman of fashion,
(who only parts with it merely because he happens to have it,) or that
the Proprietor is gone abroad; to which is generally added, it has been
only lately built, and has hardly worn the Nails of its First Wheels!!!
&c.
First observe the Fashion of the Body, keeping in mind the time when
such a shape was in vogue; examine the materials, especially the
timbers of the Carriage; for however cunningly a clever Coach-Cobbler
may have puttied and painted them, yet, in some parts, the infirmities
and chinks which time has made, will be visible enough to Eyes
accustomed to examine them.
If Old, the _Futchells_[12] in the chaps at the Pole Bolt hole, and at
the top where the Gib is placed, are rough and patched with Leather;
the Pole[13] if the original one, on the sides and top which go into
the Futchells, is likewise worn, and patched with a tin covering. Look
to _the Transom Plates_, if they are flat, thick, and clean, and that
if by pushing against the Coach Box, or Springs, the Upper Carriage
does not rock on them;--see that the _Fore Axle-tree Bed_, and transom
at the middle where the Perch Bolt is placed, are sound, and that about
the Perch Bolt hole there is not much patching with Leather--that the
ends of the Transom where the Springs and Coach Box is placed look
clean and sound;--_the Splinter Bar_, if much worn, has the moulding
towards the end nearly effaced;--_the Sway Bar_[14] and that part of
the bottom plate of the perch against which it wears, after much use
is gulled, and the defect is made up with Leather patched on it;--the
ends of the hind Axle-tree Bed where the Spring stays rest, if much
indented, is old:--the hind Foot board-ledge being worn hollow, is
another proof of the Carriage having been much used.
As to _the Body_ part, examine principally the Bottom sides, at the end
where the loops are placed; and in the corners of the rabbits under the
Door bottoms where the standing Pillars are framed, if very old they
will be rotten and appear rough; the mortices of the Door Locks, if
gulled, and the Bolts of the Lock if loose in the Spindles, are proofs
of their being old; and so it is if the Leather which covers the Roof
of the Quarters and Boot, appear to have been mended at the welts, or
if it has drawn from the sewings or nailing.
_The Braces_[15] should be supple and clean, free from patches and
cracks at the bearings;--the _Steps_, if ricketty at the Joints, and
when down, if the tread drops under, and the leather with which they
are trimmed is dingy and torn at the joint knuckles; this shews them to
have been much used: the leather also which covers the bottom sides at
the entrance of the Doors, if Old, is rough, and has the grain worn or
torn on the outside.
The Mahogany or Venetian Blind Frames, when old, have their colour
discharged by the weather, and look of a dingy brown;--the Glass
frames, particularly the front ones, are, when old, loose at the
corners, the sides of the grooves loosened, and held together only by
the Cloth which covers them.
Nothing is a better proof than the mouldings of the framings, and the
Scroll ends or finishings of the timber; for if much filled with Paint,
or defaced, it is a certain Proof of the Carriage having been often
painted, and of course old; the paint will, with a slight knock, if not
newly done, fly off in scales, particularly from the Iron work.
Examine well those places in the Body round the edges, if the framing
where the wet has been likely to lodge has not been rotten, and the
surface is not made up with Putty, or has been cased on the outside
with new pieces of Wood moulding.
Examine _the Cloth of the Lining_, observe the sides and back against
which the Shoulders rub, that the cloth is not threadbare, and that it
is free from Moth-holes in every part.
The Hand Holders and pasting Lace, particularly the small Lace which is
round the Lights or Windows.
If the Carriage has a Coach Box, examine the condition of the Seat
under the Hammercloth at the ends and corners on the inside; if it has
been much used, it will be ragged and worn through in many places.
In examining the _Wheels_, look not only to the outside edge of the
Iron which covers them, but also to the Spokes at the Nave, that they
are not started, and that the Wheels are firm on the Axle-trees.--These
are the General Rules to be observed when examining a Second-Hand
Carriage.
_Never buy without advice from some skilful and disinterested person._
HARNESS.
From decayed Harness, almost as much danger is to be dreaded as from a
faulty Carriage. However skilful the Coachman, if your Harness fails,
how can he manage his Horses?
That Harness may not be used so long as to become expensive and
troublesome in the repair, we will endeavour to give some guide as to
_how long it may be expected to last_: this, however, depends much on
the Quality of the Leather and the Goodness of the Workmanship, the
Weather it is exposed to, and the care that is taken of it.
Harness perishes with hanging by; and however moderately it may be
used, after five or six years is seldom fit for further service, unless
very extraordinary care has been taken to preserve it. It may be said
to wear in proportion to the Work done with it: this is ascertained by
the number of Wheels worn out, and we calculate that it will last in
London, at least, as long as Four Sets of Wheels.
Harness for common work should not be encumbered with superfluous
Ornaments, &c.: the plainer it is the better. The less the Horse is
burdened with trappings, the more easily he can do his Work;--the less
Time is required to keep it clean;--and the less Money it costs.
Those who are nice about the look of their Harness, must keep a set
of Old Harness for Wet Weather and Night Work; which is a plan to be
recommended to all Persons who make much use of their Carriage.
A Handsome set of Chariot Harness, of the very best Workmanship, with
patent Leather Waterdecks, according to Estimate (No. 9), costs from
about £30. to £36.
SECOND-HAND HARNESS.
Observe the condition of the Leather; if it is soft and pliable, it
is good:--if dry and stiff, it is bad. This is also the case if the
Grain is cracked, or if the Sewings are gummed up with grease, and the
veined marks on the edges are effaced. See that all the Leathers at the
buckling and looped parts are whole and perfect;--the trace ends, the
collars, the cruppers, the belly bands, and billets, shew best at the
buckling parts how much the Harness has been used.
The Furniture (except the Ornaments) usually remains longer perfect
than the Leather does, but look to the corners of the Buckles and Rings
of the Territs through which the Reins pass, and to the Ornaments;
likewise the inside Winker-pieces and the head chains; these are the
likeliest parts to look to for a proof of the Furniture, but the
Leather is the best guide, for if the pipes and ley of the Collars,
traces at the points, and the breeching at the straps, are perfect,
the Harness is likely to be a good one, though _a Second-Hand Harness
seldom proves_ (after the expense of alterations and changing the
Ornaments, which necessarily must be done before it can be used) _to be
so Cheap, in the long run, as a New one_.
TRAVELLING CARRIAGES
Should not be hung higher than Three feet from the ground, should have
strong well-seasoned Springs, which should be corded, and every part of
it should be much stronger than a Town Carriage. Bolts inside should be
attached to the Doors, to prevent their being opened on the outside.
The Dickey Box should have _Pistol Holsters_ on each side, covered with
black fur tops.
A front Budget attached to the Body, or fixed on the beds of Carriage.
_A hind Rumble_ for two servants, with knee boot attached to the Body.
_Cap Case_ to front of Body.
_Trunks for Travelling_ must be very strong, and strengthened at the
corners with Iron Plates, and should have Inside Straps and Laths;
these are conveniences to confine what the trunk contains from shifting
about; they are made with four or five laths covered with cloth or
paper, which are nailed, at a small distance from each other, to
three pieces of girth web, and lie at the top of the parcels within
the trunk; on the bottom of the trunks straps are nailed, which buckle
round the laths and keep all tight.
TRUNK COVERS
are made to fit the outside of the trunks, to cover and preserve them
from the weather; they are usually made of thick painted cloth, with
holes at the sides, for the handles of the trunk to be got at.
IMPERIALS,
are large flat cases made to the form of the whole or part of the Roof
or Body; they are conveniences to carry light articles safe, mostly
designed for wearing Apparel; they are made of thin boards, covered
with Leather, and lined with tow and baize: to prevent its rubbing
the roof, if intended to cover the whole of the roof, they are most
convenient to remove, if divided into, two parts; and as the half is
often sufficient for use, it saves unnecessary luggage. They are fixed
on the Roof by means of straps and staples.
DRAG CHAIN, SHOE, AND STAFF,
are necessary to every Travelling Carriage: the Chain is to lock the
Wheels, and to prevent the going too fast downhill; the Staff is to
stop the Carriage, and give rest to the Horses, when ascending a hill;
the chain is fixed to a hook about the middle of the perch or crane,
with a hook or shoe at the end for the Wheels. The Hook is most handy
for use, but the shoe is preferable, as it preserves the Iron of the
Wheel from Injury when dragging on hard stony ground. The Chain being
covered with Leather prevents it from rattling.
OIL-SKIN COVERS TO THE BODY
preserve the Paint from the injury of the Road dirt, or Boughs, while
Travelling: these covers are frequently used, and are so made that
the Doors may be opened and shut with them on. Every part of the Body
except the Windows and bottom is covered; it is looped on to the Body
by small buttons, and is put on and off with the utmost facility: they
are made of common oiled linen, lined with soft baize.
SPRING CORDING.
Springs are corded to prevent danger and delay, if by accident a plate
should break, and also to strengthen them, especially when Carriages
are loaded with heavy Imperials and much Luggage: it is done by placing
a thin piece of ash or a length of cord along the back, and afterwards
twisting a small but strong cord round, and fastening it well at the
top.
SAFETY BRACES
are fixed by strong Braces attached to the C springs, passing directly
under the bottom of the Body, (and prevent any stopping on the road by
the springs breaking or body-loops giving way), the expense of which,
with the fixing and check-loops, is 5 Guineas; the length varying from
nine to twelve feet, according to the length of the Carriage.
England is celebrated for the construction of Carriages of peculiar
Elegance and convenience; but the completest machine we have seen was
BUONAPARTE’S
TRAVELLING CHARIOT,
of which the following description may furnish hints to those who wish
to have a convenient Carriage.
The very curious and convenient Chariot of the late Emperor of
France, which I examined when it was exhibited at the London Museum,
Piccadilly, in 1816, was built by Symons of Brussels, for the Russian
Campaign, and was adapted to the various purposes of a _Pantry_ and of
a _Kitchen_; for it had places for holding and preparing refreshments,
which, by the aid of a Lamp, could be heated in the Carriage; it served
also for _a Bed Room_, _a Dressing Room_, _an Office_, &c.;--there was
a separation rising about six inches, dividing the Seat. The exterior
of this ingenious vehicle was of the form and dimensions of our large
Modern English Travelling Chariot--only that it had a projection in
front of about two feet, the right-hand half of which was open to the
inside to receive the feet, and thus formed a Bed--the left-hand
contained a store of various useful things.
Beyond the projection in front, and nearer to the Horses, was the seat
for the Coachman, ingeniously contrived so as to prevent the Driver
from viewing the interior of the Carriage, and yet so placed as to
afford those within a clear sight of the Horses and of the surrounding
Country:--beneath this seat was a receptacle for a Box, about 2½ feet
in length and 4 inches square, which contained a Bedstead of polished
Steel, which could be fitted up in a couple of minutes.
Over the Front Windows was a _Roller Blind_ of strong painted Canvass,
which, when pulled out, _excluded Rain, while it admitted Air_: we
wonder this is not an universal appendage to every Chariot in this
Country.
On the Ceiling of the Carriage was a Net work for carrying small
travelling requisites: in a recess there was a Sécrétaire 10 inches
square by 18 inches in length, which contained nearly an hundred
articles presented to Napoleon by Maria Louisa, under whose care it was
fitted up with every luxury and convenience that could be imagined,
and contained, besides the usual requisites for a Dressing-Box, most
of which were of solid Gold,--a magnificent Breakfast service, with
Plates--Candlesticks--Knives--Forks--Spoons--a spirit Lamp, for making
Breakfast in the Carriage--Gold Case for Napoleons--Gold Wash-hand
Basin--variety of Essence Bottles, Perfumes--and an almost infinite
variety of minute articles, down to Pins, Needles, Thread, and Silk.
Each of these were fitted into recesses, most ingeniously contrived,
and made in the solid Wood, in which they packed close together, and
many within each other, in so small a compass, that, on seeing them
arranged, it appeared impossible for them ever to be put in so small
a compass:--at the bottom of this Toilette Box, in divided recesses,
were found Two Thousand Gold Napoleons;--on the Top, Writing Materials,
Looking Glass, Combs, &c.--a Liqueur Case which had Two Bottles, one
with Malaga Wine, the other Rum,--a silver Sandwich Box, containing a
Plate, Knives, Spoons, Pepper and Salt Boxes, Mustard Pot, Decanter,
Glasses, &c.--a Wardrobe, Writing-Desk, Maps, Telescopes, Arms,
&c.--a large silver Chronometer, by which the Watches of the Army were
regulated, two Merino Mattresses, a Green Velvet Travelling Cap--also a
diamond Headdress (tiara), Hat, Sword, Uniform, and an Imperial Mantle,
&c. &c. &c.
DUTIES
PAYABLE ON MALE SERVANTS.
Per Servant. Total per Year.
No. 1. £1 4 0 £1 4 0
2. 1 11 0 3 2 0
3. 1 18 0 5 14 0
4. 2 3 6 8 14 0
DUTIES ON HORSES.
Per Horse. Total per Year.
No. 1. £1 8 0 £1 8 0
2. 2 7 3 4 14 6
3. 2 12 3 7 16 9
4. 2 15 0 11 0 0
DUTY ON CARRIAGES.
With Two Wheels £3 5 0
With Four Ditto 6 0 0
The Duties on Servants, Carriages, and Horses, are collected by the
same Officers that collect the House and Window Taxes; and are
reckoned from one fifth of April to another; and if you keep a Horse or
Carriage for a Single week, you must pay the Tax thereon for a whole
Year.
THE ART
OF
MANAGING COACHMEN.
The Christian precept of
“_Do as you would be done by_,”
is in few instances more difficult to observe, than it is towards a
Coachman, who is, in fact, paid to endure those Inconveniences from
which the Carriage protects his Employer. However, the Good Master will
“_do as he would be done by_,” and make his Servant as Comfortable as
the peculiar nature of his place permits.
_Merciful Masters_, who use their Carriage in Wet Weather[16], provide
their Coachman _Two Box Coats_:--a Second-hand Coat may be bought for
about £2. 10_s._--a slight increase to their Expense, a great addition
to his Comfort: for when _a Box Coat gets thoroughly Wet, it will take
forty-eight hours before it becomes thoroughly Dry_; for it must not be
dried otherwise than gradually and in the Air. _Mr. Jarvis_ says, that
“the best way of drying a Box Coat on these occasions, is to put it
round a Truss of Straw.”
The Hardy habits of Coachmen enable them to brave the inclemencies of
the Sky, and to set the Cold and Rain at defiance, when encompassed
in their seven-fold Cape, and a comfortable _Dry Coat_;--but, my
fair-weather friend, can you imagine a more awfully dangerous envelope
than _a Wet Blanket_?
Whatever Olympic Wits or Whips might think, there are few modern
Jockies who will agree with Pindarus, that Water is the best thing, at
least for the lining of the _Inner_ or the _Outer Coat_ of the Stomach.
_Damp Clothes_ are the cause of Coachmen being so often and so severely
afflicted with Rheumatism; therefore we insert the following, which has
frequently proved an efficacious remedy in old and inveterate attacks
of this complaint.
_Anti-Rheumatic Embrocation._
Sal Volatile, an ounce and a half;
Laudanum, half an ounce;
Mix--rub the part afflicted Night and Morning, and in the
Middle of the Day.
The Reader may have observed, that the Coach Box of the Carriages of
many Medical Men is furnished with a _Knee Boot_, _i. e._ an Apron
like that of a Gig:--this is a comfortable, and, indeed, a needful
defence to the Legs and Feet. The Author advises the general adoption
thereof to those who use their Carriage much in Cold Wet Weather, and
especially recommends it to those Genteel[17] people, who courageously
keep their Servants and Horses in waiting half the Night, in bitter
cold weather, while they are indulging themselves in the opposite
extreme of temperature in Crowded Assemblies.
No _Entertainments_ (as those _Midnight Inflictions_ are by courtesy
termed), afford so little satisfaction as
EVENING PARTIES.
All who know you, that _are not_ invited, will take umbrage, and half
of those who _are_, receive the intended Compliment only as their
due, and not seldom return it by ridiculing their Host, who, if he is
prudent, they will censure for his Parsimony; if he be generous, will
rate as a Prodigal.
These (foolish, if they are poor, but if Rich, wicked,)
“_Fly-by-Nights_,”
“Who Sleep till Noon, and hardly live till Night,”
who are unhappy except when in a Crowd, and fancy that they are
entitled to pass for folks of exquisite Fashion, in proportion to the
degree of fondness that they pretend to exhibit for being Stewed in
foul Air[18].
As _Sir Exquisite Irritable_ says, “Nothing can be less Nice than
the Re-respiration of _Respired Air_, every whif of which has just
popped out of the Mouth of another! To Drink out of the same Cup, is
comparatively an act of delectable Refinement!!!”
What is to be said FOR the Absurdity of not going out to an _Evening_
Party, until You ought to be going into Your Bed? Every Body has enough
to say AGAINST it! But, nevertheless, the very persons who exclaim
loudest against this foolish Fashion, are frequently found among the
foremost of those who follow it.--How comes this? why, this is quite
inconceivable!--No, indeed,--No!--pray pardon me--with the utmost
submission, it is among the strange things which are very easily
accounted for--_it is Fashionable! it is extremely Genteel!!_
However, these _Midnight Meetings_, under the inviting appellation of
GENTEEL _Evening Parties_, are, in fact, a _Barbarous Invention of the
Idle and Imbecile_, to undermine the Constitution, and annihilate the
Independence of the Industrious and the Healthful.
“Though bold these Truths, my Book with Truths like these
Will none offend, whom ’tis a praise to please.”
_Dr. Young._
The noisy announcement of the arrival of the Visitors at these
Nocturnal Assemblies, by the absurd custom of a Thundering Rapping at
the Door, which is already open, is one of the most ridiculous customs
of modern times, and should be entirely abolished.--If a parcel of
silly people are permitted to meet together at Midnight, they ought not
to be permitted to murder the Sleep of their surrounding neighbours,
from Ten at Night till Three in the Morning! It is as disorderly
an offence against the public peace as can be mentioned; and if
it happened at the house of a poor person, it would be immediately
indicted as Disorderly.
Good Nature may find some Excuse for the Poor and Dependent, who
(perhaps very unwillingly) are obliged to follow a Foolish Fashion; but
what apology can Good Sense invent for the Opulent and the Independent,
who are the Makers of Manners, and who set a Foolish Example[19].
_Tom Thrifty’s_ maxim for Evening Parties, was
“COME _before Seven_,
GO _before Eleven_.”
Have you in your Visiting Book the name of one Good Mother, whom you
have not heard heartily lament the Late Hours of the Fashionable
World as the principal cause of the predominance of the Lily in the
complexion of her Children?
“Late sitting up has turn’d their Roses white:
Why went they not to Bed?--because ’twas Night.”
Is it not astonishing, then, that Somebody will not be Wise enough, and
Kind enough, to invite us to return to Reasonable Hours?--But, as the
saying is,
“_What is Every Body’s Business, is Nobody’s Business_,”
and
“_Plain Dealing is Dead, and Died without Issue_.”