MODERN CARRIAGES. 353 



all necessary tools, with spare bolts and clips incase of a break- 

 down in the open country ; and a good courier was expected to 

 be able to use the tools effectively, to replace a broken bolt 

 or secure a broken tire with a tire-clip. 



Carriages for continental travelling had always to be provided 

 with loose swinging splintrees attached to the splinter-bar so 

 that each horse pulled from a centre easing the horse's collar, 

 but rendering accurate guidance more difficult and less precise 

 than when the traces are attached to fixed splinter-bars, as is 

 usual in England where, consequently, with ordinary care, 

 collisions were less frequent, by reason of greater certainty in 

 steering. 



The couriers who accompanied noblemen and great 

 families on their continental journeys were almost invariably 

 foreigners Swiss, Italian, German, or French. They required 

 a combination of qualities to perform their duties to the comfort 

 and satisfaction of their employers, for on the good management 

 and knowledge of this functionary depended much "of the pleasure 

 of a continental ramble. It was, of course, necessary that he 

 should speak three or four languages, if not to perfection, at least 

 so as to be well understood in the roadside inns and hotels. 

 He had to organise the route, the length of the day's journey, 

 provide for punctual relays of post-horses, order rooms at hotels 

 beforehand, if his party were large, settle the bills, pay all 

 expenses on the road, and duly render periodical accounts of 

 the money supplied to him. With a bachelor employer his 

 duties were comparatively light, but with a large party his re- 

 sponsibilities were heavy, though diminished somewhat if his 

 employers were considerate. 



If a long tour were arranged for, and there were a large pro- 

 portion of ladies who entered much into society and gaiety, the 

 baggage was proportionately extensive, and would be carried in 

 a compact fourgon, half carriage, half van, the fore part having 

 a cabriolet body with folding hood, carrying the courier and 

 lady's-maid, while in the rear were tiers of neatly numbered 

 and arranged wooden boxes, the leather-covered imperials, 



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