480 CHREOTECHNICS. 



bourine, of tightly strained discs of animal membrane; or, like bells, 

 and cymbals, of sonorous metal. 



4. Cabinet, and carriage work, are similar in their operations, 

 and hence are here associated. A cabinet, in its original sense, is a 

 large bureau, or chest of drawers : and cabinet work includes the 

 making of wardrobes, sideboards, sofas, tables, chairs, and other 

 similar articles. It consists chiefly of joinery ; and the frames, made 

 of common wood, are often veneered, or overlaid with thin leaves of 

 mahogany, or other rare wood, fastened with glue, and then polished 

 and varnished. Cabinet work is sometimes associated with uphol- 

 stery, or the preparation of bedding, curtains, carpeting and similar 

 articles ; the materials of which belong to the branch of Vestiture. 

 These arts acquire increased importance from the principles of taste 

 on which their successful practice depends. 



Among the different forms of Carriages, the coach is entirely 

 covered, and has two or more seats, for two or more persons each, 

 facing the centre. The barouche, has a folding, or chaise top ; but 

 with two similar seats. The chariot, and post coach, have only one 

 seat, for two or more persons, inside ; but, like the preceding, are 

 drawn by two or more horses. The phxton, resembles a chaise 

 body set on four wheels : the dearborn, or carryall, has two seats, 

 with flat top, and curtains ; and the York waggon has a single seat, 

 without a top ; but they all have four wheels. The curricle, is a 

 two horse chaise: the gig differs from the common chaise, in having 

 no top ; and the tilbury, or buggy, is a lighter kind of gig. The 

 sulky, has also two wheels, but contains a seat for only one person. 

 The cutter is a lighter kind of sleigh, for winter use ; moving on 

 runners. Of the manufacture of saddles, harnesses, trunks and like 

 articles, made chiefly of leather, we can here take no farther notice. 



CHAPTER VI. 



COMMERCE. 



IN the branch of Commerce, we include the exchange of commo- 

 dities, of every kind; with the principles and considerations by 

 which such exchange is regulated. The name is derived from the 

 Latin, commercium, having the same signification ; and it is synony- 

 mous with trade, or traffic ; comprehending the whole profession of 

 the merchant. It has close relations with Political Economy, par- 

 ticularly on account of its connection with banks and currency, as 

 supplying the medium of exchange: but we consider it as still more 

 closely related to the productive arts, of which we are here treating. 

 This art requires an extensive knowledge of both artificial, and 

 natural products, in order to be able to judge of their quality, and to 

 estimate their value. Indeed, there is no profession in which we 

 think extensive and varied knowledge can be more useful than to the 

 merchant, who deals in all kinds of commodities, and with all classes 

 of men. This profession has done much to foster the arts ; and by 



