Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-01-24
The Costs Of Sleighing.
THE 0LD-TINE TURNoUrs AND THOSE OF
THE PRESENT.

The average cost Of a sleigh 80 years ago.
says the Proridence Journal, was from SlS
| 10 $50, and Westboro, Mass, was the lead
ing place Of manufacture. Albany being also
centre of the trade the sleighs made there
being OF somewhat superior kind. with
cushions. an extravaganza which was lack
ing IN the ordinary vehicle on runners. The
style and comfort Of sleighs improved as
people became richer and were able TO pay
for and to appreciate convenience combined
I with beauty. The Albany sleigh kept the
lead, and to an ordinary observer is still ~
perior in cosiness and gracefulnesS Of out
line 10 the new-fangled foreign fashions
lately introduced. Within three or four
years past. however, the German and Rus
sian STYLES have been brought into this
country. and have been adopted, if no, i'm
proved upon, b. manufacturer. here The
German double sleigh sits low down. both
front and rear seats are on level, and II
is adapted for either one or two horses. A
double German sleigh costs about $3.50 and
single about SlIj, The German. as well
as the Russian, sleigh has fender. or
screen. above the dashboard. to prevent ice
and snow from being tossed into the faces
OF the passengers. The double sleigh is
sometimes ornamented with plumes. usu-
ally of a red color, but the plumes are not
as much in fashion in Providence as in
New York, and purchasers generally pre-
fer TO bu, their sleghs without the oriental
insignia Of rank. The Russian sleigh sits
| higher up than the German, as beftting
climate where snow is deep on the ground
for months in the year. The Russian double
sleigh is al present rather in demand, the
average cost being $50. In both Russian
and German double sleigh> the front seats
are 80 arranged that a gentleman can drive
his own horses, if he 90 desires The Cana
dian sleigh j. much after the German in
style, but palmer and not so cumbersome,
and worth about $3.50. An Albany two
seat sleigh. haf-top. is worth $3.50. and
the three-seat $3.50 and, although the
ncv STYLES are largely taking tie place of
the Albany. 1t j. difficult As before said, To
see where there are any Improvement upon
il, and il is not improbable that when th,
foreign rage will have passed. Americans
will acknowle edge that the genuine American
slci igh beats the world after all \ single
Albany, the ideal of Ightrc>S for fast
stepping trottcr. j. worth $50. \otwlth-
standing all that has been sad about dull
ness IN business, the demand among the
wealthy TIL, Year. as for some wears past. i
for high and costly line OF goods, on the
principle. perhaps. that i j, true economy
70 hI, 4 superior article but, taxing c,cr,-
body into consideratian. the greatest call Is
fnr single ,.eIghs, costing from so to 50.
although single >lcighs nun Up ~ high 4.
S41i. ranging from that pucc down to SO
All
larg- IN slze. of brass material. 4 da1rn or
II on a string. and worn around The neck of
the horse. These wen, out Of fashion about
- Years ago. and next followed the half
strap. over tile back. of bells. also brass. ana
then the common shaft bell. The fashion
~ be.., has improved almost A. much a, tnr
fashion Id s,e.shs. an. .ome NJ the finer ,ort
are Swcctly musical N tone \ string Of
bras, sil' bell, fur pair N horse, j. worth
80 Set. anu trr SILVER ptatrd about 80 4
Pet. The rule j. ID u. sleigh bells around
thr bod, for double and ou the shaft, :.r
single >Ie.sh> Russian chiH4.~ NJ the ,,l-
d!r VERY conspicuous III dl>p,ny, and me-
lodI"u, IN so.nt. and the Russian chimes
tor thr ,haii also have a most uu>ica, tnnc
lhr Russian chimes are worth ahpu, Slj
set. hut an imitation scl much du.irr IA sound
can b. ub,Alucl Al $50 The demand J.,
mostly tor ~ III bells costing about -
The line ~ robes used on slel ghs include,
the wolverine, worth $50; the gloss, black
lrlr $50 Hudson baN wr.t. Sl-j. Jlp-
au,>' wolf 80 % so lh" ,ttr.In: u.i
buffalo robe ranging from = tp So. and
OccANinnI.iN ollie beaver iuHr worth $50
ai.I thr ,ru,An volth S2oD w $50 rr
more. he black bear D, IN good demand