The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-11-21
A MANSION ON WHEELS.
Something About the House Car Of the
Future-A Suggestion.

Something About the House Car Of the
Future--A Suggestion.
In this ago, when travelling may be said 70
be almost a passion, and when SO much has
been done for the benefit of those who are
fond Of roaming, it is strange that no system
Of movable houses has yet been devised. The
great improvements in parlor cars give hint
Of how this should be done Already our
millionaires and railroad potantates have
their private palaces fitted up with every
convenience and luxury, in which they may
live for weeks at time, having their cars
switched onto sidings at any place where they
wish to remain. Two difficulties, however
have yet to be overcome before these cars can
be regarded as satisfactory places for resi-
denco.
In the first place there is seldom any pro-
vision made in them for the entertainment
Of friends on any large scale. Their owners
having remaired for some time in any city
and enjoyed the hospitality OF friends, are
debarred by the narrowness Of their quarters
from returning the social kindness of which
they have been made the recipients. Il Ia
necessary that the parlor car shall be devel-
oped until 1t contains dining rooms. parlors
dining halls, and even ball rooms suited for
the entertainment of largo companies. This
win probably necessitats the irtroduc-
tion OF q wider gauge than Is at
present commonly employed, unless some
arrangements can be made for the use OF
trucks running upon the double tracks with
which roads are already provided. This will
naturally come in time, and the people will
send out invitations for entertainments to be
given In half dozen cities, ON as many diff
ferent dates, with tho comfortable feeling that
at the specified time their own houses will be
in the places named. It will be seen how
much this will add to the variety of social
life, and as it Is directly In the line Of the
growing cosmopolltanism Of the country the
suggestion should appeal to popular intelli-
gence.
The second difficulty with the existing state
of things is the fact that cars switched onto
a siding are almost sure to be In undesirable
parts of the town, whittier self respecting
pleasure seekers might naturally find 1t awlx.
ward to resort. When once a proper system
Of house cars has been adopted, the next step
will be for the reservation Of squares in the
fashionable quarter OF the town, laid with
convenient tracks and switches, and hired
out for longer or shorter periods to the pro-
prietors OF travelling mansions. AS money
has long since ceased to be an object to
American millionaires they will undoubtedly
be willing to pay generously for such accom-
modations, and the general result will be sat
isfactory pecuniary returns to the holders of
lots, convenience TO the voyaging household
ers, and pleasant variety both to the APP
pearance and social life of fashionable neigh
borhoods All this is said, not so much In
the way of suggestion as of prophecy; but,
since it is well to accustom ourselves to pos
siblo innovations, however startling, tho idea
is worthy Of consideration.-Bo Boston Courier.