COACHES. 



325 



superseded by a still more easy one, called the lectica, 

 from its similarity to bed, or couch. Then comes the 

 carpcntum, or horse-litter, the form of which may be 

 seen on antique coins, where it is represented as a two^ 

 wheeled car with an arched covering, and which was 

 sometimes hung with costly cloth. Still later, we find 

 the carrucce, first mentioned by Pliny, and coming nearer 

 in their appellation to our name for such vehicles ; but so 

 little is known of them, that it is, I believe, a matter of 

 conjecture as to the number of their wheels. They were, 

 however, carriages of state, ornamented with gold and 

 precious stones, and the Romans considered it an honour 

 to be carried in those which were very lofty. It is 

 worthy of observation, that in the Theodosian Code, the 

 use of them by civil and military officers of high rank, 

 was commanded as a mark of their exalted situation in 

 life. After this period covered carriages became the 

 common appendages of Roman magnificence, until the 

 sentiments which prevailed under the feudal system 

 again banished them. It being then considered essential 

 to the feudal lords, that their vassals should be always 

 ready to serve them on horseback, they discouraged the 

 use of carriages, as tending to make them indolent and 

 unfit for military service. 



In more modern times, Hanover surpassed all other 

 cities in the number and splendour of its carriages. In 

 1 68 1, there were fifty gilded coaches, with six horses 

 in each, at the magnificent court of Duke Ernest 

 Augustus. In the history of France are many proofs 

 that at Paris, in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and great part 



