402 



CARRIAGES. 



A L^RGE AND A SMALL LAMP. 



recommendations, as, even in daylight, it lends purpose and dignity to 



the vehicle w^hich it adorns. At night it 

 will nourish the flame, and cause the re- 

 flectors to shine forth with almost dazzling 

 effulgence. 



That it may do this, however, it is im- 

 perative the proper kind of candles be con- 

 sumed. Of candles, there are two kinds 

 sold for carriages. One, which is the 

 cheaper, is a composition that soon soft- 

 ens under the combined effect of confined 

 heat and strongly reflected flame. The 

 light is not bad, but, nevertheless, is far 

 from brilliant; while the want of an essential property makes the candle 

 dear, even when purchased af a lower price. The other light is the old, 

 stout, wax candle, which, if procured from a respectable dealer, will burn 

 brightly, and scarcely be affected, with regard to firmness, after the longest 

 night journey has terminated. 



The carriage, when in the coach-house, should be covered and pro- 

 tected from soil by a large brown holland envelope. Under such a pro- 

 tection, it is usually placed with every door and window closed. The 

 consequence is, that too many vehicles strike cold when entered, and 

 communicate to the passenger a damp or musty smell. The interior is 

 foul with imprisoned air; and custom conserves the moisture natural to 

 confinement. The appendage suggestive of luxury is thus rendered a 

 dangerous possession. 



The brown holland covering will exclude the dust. Always, there- 

 fore, leave the windows wide open whenever the carriage is in the house. 

 The atmosphere of such a locality should be warm and dry. It will 

 sweeten the interior, within which four people may have been seated 

 and breathing for upwards of an hour on the night before, when the rain 

 fell in torrents. It will freshen up the padded linings, and the mistress 

 will be grateful for the care which the coachman has bestowed upon her 

 comfort. 



The owners of carriages are not sufficiently carefiil when engaging 

 the stable attendant. They often will, if there be a vehicle to look after, 

 without hesitation hire a groom to perform the duty. When this is 

 done, the gentleman infers that the man who can dress horses must 

 necessarily comprehend everything that concerns the carriage to which 

 horses are harnessed. Such an inference is certainly not warranted by 

 fact. A good groom professes to understand only horses ; and servants 

 of this description are the coachmaker's aversion. It would assuredly 



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