MODERN CARRIAGES. 351 



from the interior) contained arms for those inside the carriage, 

 while the courier was provided with pistols placed in holsters 

 at his side of the rumble. The front of the body was furnished 

 with a folding sunshade and Venetian blinds with movable 

 laths for sultry weather ; spring curtains kept off the sun's rays, 

 and a lamp with one or two candles, fixed at the back of the 

 carriage, lighted the interior ; the heat, burnt air, and smoke 

 of the wax candles passing away outside the carriage. Some 

 of these elaborate private carriages were provided with dormeuse 

 boots, and from them could be developed beds affording 

 accommodation for sleeping during night journeys. Veritably 

 Pullman's sleeping cars were anticipated, and in use long 

 before he was heard of. 



Some of the most complete, compact, and hardworking 

 of these noted travelling carriages were used by the king's 

 messengers to his ambassadors in foreign capitals. The 

 safe custody and rapid delivery of important Government 

 despatches from one end of Europe to another entailed great 

 responsibility and care on the part of those entrusted with 

 them. These messengers were generally retired military or 

 naval officers, or other hardy and adventurous gentlemen. 

 Occasionally, the incessant and continuous rapid travelling of 

 many days was so exhausting, that they had to be lifted out of 

 their carriages on reaching their distant destination. In very hot 

 or very inclement weather their suffering was sometimes acute. 



These carriages were provided with strong safety ropes 

 under the body, extending from one C-spring to another, in 

 case a much-worn leather spring brace should break at an 

 inconvenient place or time, and arrest further progress : they 

 were also provided with two drag-shoes and chains, and in 

 addition a wheel-hook and chain, in case a bad piece of road 

 should displace one or both of the drag-shoes ; also a drag-staff 

 to let down in ascending an Alpine road, to prevent a jibbing 

 horse, or one with sore shoulders, from backing, and sending the 

 carriage, its occupants, horses, and servants, down a precipice. 

 In addition, there was a box (or tool budget) provided with 



