482 



CARRIAGES. 



had solid silver let in upon its exterior ; while the ground was composed 

 of the choicest colors, overlaid by the most exquisite decorative painting. 



A DRESS CARRUOE. 



The charge for this toy was seven thousand guineas. The Sheriffs of 

 London, however, manage to ride in a state carriage at a more economi- 

 cal rate. Their vehicles are commonly hired for the year of office ; and 

 the expense is only varied by that amount of adornment which each new 

 dignitary may please to command. The ordinary charges are seldom 

 lower than, eighty guineas, and are rarely higher than one hundred and 

 sixty guineas. 



A BAROUCHE. 



A neatly-built step-piece barouche is certainly an elegant conveyance, 

 though, at the present moment, hardly so popular as it was a few years 

 ago. Vehicles, like most other things, are subject to the arbitrary dic- 

 tates of fashion, and this circumstance renders the coachmaker's stock, 

 which must at all times be costly, particularly hazardous. However, 

 the risk which is inseparable from the character of the trade must be 

 covered by the profit account when the books are balanced. A good 

 •barouche is an expensive luxury; since this conveyance cannot be 

 manufactui'ed under one hundred and sixty guineas, while it may, with- 

 out much extravagance, be easily made to cost two hundred and twenty 

 guineas. 



The landau, which has now become almost the exclusive property of 

 the ladies, is even more expensive than the barouche. But with this 

 fact it may be necessary also to state that the landau requires to be 

 especially well built, and must be highly finished in every part. It 



