Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-12
COMFORT AND STYLE.
Fashionable Carriages and How They
Are Made.
EOUIPAGES OF THE RICH.
History OF the Modern val,icIe-Styles
In Vogue This season-The Woods
Used Il The Park Turnout - Horses,
Harness and Coachmen.
Written for TIE EVENING STAR.
(CopyrightJ

Written Tor IHk EVENING
tCopyrighty
- ACH fashionable modern carriage
isS builder has his own designs and studies
~ lines and curves, contrasts and har mon
les. As Imagination bodies forth new
pattern Of vehicle it is carefully copy
rIghted. Though protected by duty of thirty
five per cent the carriage builder needs pretty
penny OF ready money. The artistic faculty
comes high. Men to properly translate it into
wood and iron, paint and varnish, must needs
be skilled artisans who command the high
est wages. Material, too. is expensive.
The Carriage builder seasons his knowledge by
q long apprenticeship. His timber must have
three years of ar-seasoning, sheltered from
rain and storm, yet free to sun and wind So
only will 1t harden into that elastic toughness
REQUIRED for such use. Steam seasoning makes
it lifeless and doughy-ready to split or warp
chip on the slightest provocation. When
the three years are up the wood is shaped ac-
curstely for its last estate, and then thoroughly
dried with super-heated air. Any piece that
does not come out straight and true il at once
cast aside.
THE WOODS Used.
The woods used for wheels are oak hickory
and elm. Hickory makes the felloes, often the
spokes too. Hubs are of elm. Painted panels
are of ash or wildwood, preferably the latter.
and buckeye maple. Now and again some en-
terprising builder turns out a trap with rose
wood panels. Norway iron is used for the run
ming gear. 1t Is rolled and hammered and
tested and toughened almost as though it were
aquestlon of a ships armor. Notwithstanding
the builders warranty. for one year. specifically
excludes wear of the tires. Carriage painting
is in itself an art, highly decorative one at
that. For there be red wheels under blue
bodies yellow ones under brown. black ones
arrInQ6
Joseph's coat nor Jacobs cattle could begin to
match the variety, the stripes and streaks of the
modern carriage.
How THE ENAMEL. SURFACE Is SECURED.
In addition the finest work is gone over
twelve times with the grain. Each coat dries
thoroughly and is rubbed down with pumice
before another is laid on The result is
surface very like enamel. indeed when the last
bit of varnish is in place you can see yourself
as in glass darkly. in the smooth shining
of your coach. 1t Is a mighty perlshable
polish, though. Even without use II grows dim
IN a twelye-mOnth. A carriage in service, to
look smart and span new. must be vanished
about three times year-eaCh time at a cost
of about fifty dollars or thereabout. The
experts say. though, that use il not so bad for
any part of the vehicle standing in the
coach house-Iu fact that year there does
more damage than two on the road. Also that
a muddy carriage should be washed II possible
while the mud Is soft on it. using good lot of
water until there is not even a suspicion of
grit or earthly particles to scratch the paint.
Take up the water that remains with a big soft
sponge, wiping from side to side with the grain
OF wood and paint. Finish with chanois
going over and over until there is no trace of
moisture left. Ammonia decomposes both
varnish and paint. hence the unfitness of keep
ing carriages in places adjoining
stables. A big sheet of heavy soft cotton cloth
Is the best cover. and should be put over the
carriage when even 1t is not III use.
THE GRAND VICTORIA.
Though the carriages are legion the distinctly
fashionable ones may be counted on the
fingers. At least for city driving. In the
country fancy is fashion-and surprising turn
outs quite the correct thing. The most swag-
ger park carriage is the grand Victoria with
rumble and boot. 1t has low wheels, very wide