Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-06-16
EARLY CnACH RI'ILDING.

The first London coach builder we read of
was named Walter Rippon. He was en-
ployed by Queen Mary Tudor to build hera
''turning coach," with pillars and arches.
Presumably the fore-wheels turned on a
pivot, as our modern carriages do. In 1884
he made chariot for Queen Elizabeth,
with four pillars, surmounted by an impe-
rial crown, and with two lower pillars in
front, surmounted by a lion and dragon,
her armorial supporters. The same sover-
eign is represented in one of her portraits
in an open litter, horne by the great officers
of the Court. 1t is from her reign that
coaches "a name derived from Hungary
and carriages resembling those we now use
came into fashion. For many years car
riages were possessed only by the Queen
and the great officers of the kingdom they
were exceptional luXuries. Her Majesty's
carriages were open at the sides. She was
fond ofprogresses from one great nObleman's
house to another, or to and from her own
palaces, and wished her liege subjects to see
her. The closed coach, as already remark
ed was introduced from Hungary. 1t had
a wooden top, plenti1ully garnshed with
gilt nails, and the sides were closed by cur
tains. The Emperor of Germany went to
Frankfort to his coronation in such coach
in 1875. The German princes in the SIX
teenth and following centuries seem to have
been far in advance of other potcntates in
the number of their carriages or coaches.
Henri w. Of France had but one, and he
was in it when he was murdered by Ravail-
lac. The coaches or corOsses of Louis the
Magnificent, were numerous and sumptu-
ously decorated. According to Macaulay, a
procession of hundred carriages belonging
to his Majesty and the Court was sent out
to receive James ii. when he took refuge
in France.
Glass coaches, or coaches with glass panels
instead of curtains at the sides, do not seem
TO have been introduced into England until
the middle of the seventeenth century.
Plate glass for the purpose was of Venetian
origin. The manufacture was established
at Fuham, by the Duke of Buckingham,
and it was used for carriage panels during
the reigns of the Stuart sovereigns. The
coach of the Speaker is said to have been
made for or used by Oliver Cromwell. 1t
is of carved oak, similar in general outline
to the State coaches of more recent times,
but more upright on the angles and more
compact in appearance. The body is hung
by stout leather straps to iron standards,
which rest on groups of well-carved figure
work, representing Jupiter, Neptune, the
City of London and Africa. Other mytho-
logical groups are carved on the driving box
and at the back. 1t must be of enormous
weight, as it measures nineteen feet N total
length, and fourteen feet from axle to axle.
1t is drawn by two horses only-etiquette
does not allow the Speaker larger num-
ber-so those two have to be of elephantine
weight and strength. h.-JNyozine Of Art.
TIE SHOE sigma Spanish shoemaker
of philosophic turn of mind, affirms that
mems characters and dispositions are more
accurately read in the way they wear their
boots and shoes than in their physiognomy,
or even their handwriting. Hesays: "Show
me the shoes of a man after he has worn
them two months and will analyZe for
you his character. In your shoes, for in
stance, / see lack of energy, levity negli-
gence, and II disposition to evade the full
filling of disagreable duties and obligations.
The even wearing away of the heels and