Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-15
From Cnrfer's letters.
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LA DILIGENCE.


At O'Clock on the morning Of the 29th OF
November, we took seats in the Diligence for
Paris, distance Of us English miles from Ca
iais, by the new route through Abbeville and
Beauvais. Our vehicle and its equipments look
ed more like a caravan, destined TO Mecca or
the Holy Land, than like stage coach for the
metropolis Of France. Its construction is in
all respects unique and amusing. The body is
fifteen or twenty feet long, and divided into
three compartments, and separated from one
another by partitions, which cut off all inter
course between the passengers. OF these sec
tons, the one in front, which is before the
wheels, is called the Cabriolei, formed like the
top Of chaise, and sufficiently wide to hold
three or four persons. Behind this and between
the wheels, is the body Of the Diligence, called
the interiur, fashioned with protuberant sides,
like stage coach, and capacious enough to
accommodate six passengers The rear divi-
sion, behind the wheels, is termed the derriere,
resembling the body of one OF our hacks, and
large enough for half dozen persons. In ad-
dtion 10 these grand divisions, there are places
for few odd passengers aloft, among the bag
gage The wheels of the vehicle are massive
and strong, in proportion TO the other parts,
exceeding in clumsiness the heaviest OF the
PENNSYLVANIA wagons. Behind each ofthem a
scraper is placed, to clear off the mud at every
rotation, and to keep The tire clean.
The team is as odd as the carriage. It con-
sists of FIVE, six, seven, and sometimes eigh.
horses, harnessed together in the most curious
manner. Two of them are fastened to the tongue
and the remaining three travel abreast in front,
with traces so long as frequently to drag upon
the ground. The animals bear upon their
shoulders kind ola pack saddle, covered with
blue shaggy cloth, and armed with tall horns of
wood branc hing out on each side, to hold the
reins. Their heads are ornamented with blue
and red tassals, with other hnery and string
of bells, giving them most fantastic appear
aRss. The harness generally is Of the cheaper
and most ordinary kind, made more Of hemp
than leather, and presenting striking contrast
TO the FURNISHED equipments of anEnglish coach.
A position, clad in his long boots frequently
made Of wood, and reaching above the knee,
rides the near horse behind, guiding the team
more by dint of his long whip, than the cords
which serve for reins.-To shield him from the
inclemency of the weather, he often wears the
ska of an animal with the hairy side out, Civ
ing him savage aspect Every Diligence has
an agent called eondueieur corresponding with
he guard Of an English coach. He Is an i'm
portant parsonage, seating himself in good
weather on his throne alofi, and directing the
whole movements Of the caravan. 10 his charge
is committed the baggage Of the passengers
as well as their passports, and he relieves them
from the vexation Of paying fee TO the coach
man at the end of every stage as in England
Arthe inns it is his province to preside at the
table, and in short, TO afford every accommoda.
ton and facility to the traveller.
The following anecdo,e of the man, who was
so unfortunate as to murder Colonel Sharp, i.
taken from the Western Argus:
"Not long ago, Beauchamp told the Tailor
tina, he had forged letter to Col. Sharp in Jul,
last, for the purpose Of ascer,aining the precis,
time when he would make an expected visit t.
the Red River country, intending to kill hin
there, which letter he wished to see, for ths
purpose Of ascertaing its date. He requested
the jailor 10 inform DR.. Sharp, and ask him It
look for it among his brothers papers. Itwa
done, and The letter was found. 1t was notori
ously in Beauchamp's hand writing, but had ano
Their mans name TO il, and was endorsed IL
Col Sharp's hand, Answered 9Th of August.