350 DRIVING. 



ascertain that the soles were thick and strong enough, and 

 the chains the proper length for service not too long nor 

 too short the tool-boxes were opened and ransacked, to 

 ascertain if every necessary tool was there, with spare clips 

 and bolts and strong cord. In fact, nothing was left un- 

 examined even to the packets of nails and screws, and an 

 exact estimate of cost had to be submitted before the carriages 

 left the royal mews, and the order was given to proceed with 

 the work. With such an organisation and such precautions, 

 the old carriages conveyed their precious charges safely, and 

 no unnecessary expense was incurred under conditions of 

 transition in the manner of travelling. 



At the time when the Emperor Napoleon III. was in the 

 height of his prosperity, many of his best carriages were made 

 in London : they were copied in Paris, where the adoption of 

 London fashions did much to improve French carriages. 



In any Imperial gala procession the Imperial coachmaker 

 accompanied the procession on horseback, in a well-appointed 

 and handsome uniform, attended by his workmen (suitably 

 clad in gala dresses) in case their services were required. It 

 is probable that the general public were quite ignorant of the 

 reason for their presence. In fact, they were the counterparts 

 of the breakdown gang, held available by modern railway 

 companies in case of accidents on the line. 



The contrivances for comfort, safety, and conveyance of 

 luggage had attained a perfection that was greatly appreciated 

 by well-to-do travellers. Capacious and neatly fitted boxes, 

 with covers to exclude rain and dust, were carried on the 

 roofs of closed carriages ; some were placed under the cushions, 

 others in and on the front boot. At the back of the rumble 

 that carried servants behind, a capacious cap-case contained 

 ladies' bonnets and head-gear, while a row of hat-boxes was 

 attached behind the upper part of the rumble ; two wells, 

 secured to the bottom of the carriage, contained provisions, 

 accessible from trap-doors in the carriage flooring ; the sword- 

 case projecting from the back of the body (easily accessible 



