The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-11-27
Fashions i'm Vehicles.
Neao York Sun,

Ne,o York Sun.
'The taste of men of fashion, said the
head of a famous carriage firm yester-
day, runs in favor of heavy vehicles.
Years ago we lay awake nights devising
methods of decreasing the weight of the
stylish wagon for gentlemen's use. Now
we devote our time to increasing the
weight. The dashing man swell about
town years ago prided himself upon the
skeleton-like build of his buggy. That
was the proper vehicle then and the
more web-like and fragile the wheels
and the smaller the body the more sty-
lish it was considered. Imagine swell
of to-day driving a buggy. He'd as
soon think of an ash cart. We never
make one for city use now, but it's
still an admirable vehicle for the coun-
try. Nowhere in the world has it been
improved upon and it is now being very
generally adopted in Russia and Eng
land. They favor high, easy-swinging
buggies over there and only use them
in the country.
after New York men discarded the
buggy they returned their affections for
a time upon phaetons, but these were
soon resigned to the ladies, and mod
ification of the English dog cart came
in. Within a year there was veritable
craze for dog carts. Several were i'm
ported from London and they fixed the
taste for heavy equipages among the
millionaires' sons of New York. The
dog cart was originally used for all sorts
of hard service in the English provinces.
1t was made very strong, so as to resist
the wear and tear of years; the wheels
were of great size, to roll over inequali-
ties in the country roads, and it was
used as hack vehicle, on which half a
dozen youngsters and as many hampers
would be loaded to go to meet or a
picnic. 1t is odd that such an uncouth
and uncomfortable vehicle should have
held sway so long. A mans first drive
in a big dog cart invariably left him
with lame neck, so tiresome was the
bobbing back and forth. The dog cart
is, however, not now as fashionable as
the Stanpipe gig. Many varieties of
gigs are affected by young men who de-
vote themselves to show and good form
in the park. The gigs are bit lighter
and more elegant than the carts.
Tandem driving came in and went
out with dog cart craze. know of only
three tandems in all New York now,
and they are not driven by acknowledged
leaders, but by men anxious to get po-
sition in the world of fashion. A very
great many of our wealthy families now
use dog carts, single and in tandem, at
their country places, but never bring
them to New York. Another vehicle
which has suddenly fallen into great
favor in the country where there are
fashionable city people is the blackboard
mot the rusty, old-time vehicle exact
ly, but something very much like it.
Come this way and I'll show you some
of them.
After walking through almost solid
block Of magnificent finished carriages
in the great warehouse, and going up
two stories in the elevator to where a
battalion of smaller carriages stood, the
reporter saw lot of buckboards that
would make the eyes of primeval back
woodsmen start from their heads if they
could see them. Many of them were in
white wood, with silver finishings and
gay awnings. The wheels were polish
ed and big, and they were made for two,
four and six persons. There were two
single buckboards with an odd rumble
for the groom over the rear axle. One
very handsomely finished blackboard
had the box seat raised high in the air.
The pole was heavy and the gear ar
ranged for a four-in-hand. The high
seat was necessary for the driver to see
over his horses 1t was a curious and
far from attractive-looking vehicle, but
it showed how fashion may be over
done.
'The blackboard is very popular in
the mountains continued the manufac-
turer, 'and we ship a number to the sea-
side, too. The style does not impress
me very favorably, for my feet always
go to sleep when ride in a blackboard.
'What is the favorite vehicle among
men in town this yearP
among the leaders it is unquestiona-
bly, the mail cart, or carriage, although
the T cart still has its admirers. The
mail cart is very heavy and substantial
in build, with four wheels, one seat,
with fold-in seat behind, and hood
or cover, that is never raised. 1t should
be driven to heavy horses with plenty
of action. Pole chains are usually in
order with mail chariot. They make
lot of noise, but man who drives a
well-appointed outfit is not afraid to be
seen.'
p@There is no wealth but life. Life,
including all its powers of love, of JOY
and of admiration. That country is the
richest which nourishes the greatest num-
Der of noble and happy human beings
and that man is richest who, having
perfected the functions of his own life
to the utmost, has also the widest help
full influence, both personal and BY
means of his possessions, over the lives
of others.
B@- Noted lawyer-You already have
three lawyers, sir, and the estate yo,
are after is only worth 500, 900.
Expectant heir-I have studied law
lust been admitted to the bar, and wan
to be the other lawyer myself.
But what's your object?
Why, you see, in case of success
will be entitled to share.
s9rC Charity properly embraces thre
distinct classes of elements: Principles