The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-15
EVOL UTIOk OF IHECARS.
How Things Have Improved From Old
Days-Sieeping Cars.

One OF the earliest uses of an exclusive
railroad car I'm this part of the country
was on the occasion Of the marriage Of
Jenny Lind. The great singer, wishing
to pass her honeymoon far from the
madding crowd hired cottage In Pitts
field and in order 10 be free from the
intrusion of impertincnt starers, had a
passenger car OF the pattern in use fit
ted for her use as a drawing-room by
the removal OF the seats, and the sup
ply In their place of luxurious household
furniture. This fashion was frequently
adopted by other noted people OF the
stage and by statesmen on an election
eering tour. Very likely the increased
demand for the luxury led TO the inven-
ton of a car. the use OF which was for
sale at retail so TO speak-that is a
chair in it. to be rented to any one
who came along. The early efforts were
constructed with a view TO privacy, be-
ing a series OF apartments, Of various
sizes. The open room, which has been
an encouragement 30 sociability, was
quickly evolved. 1t Is interesting TO no
tice. by the way. that the latest device
for q drawing room car is a return to
the apartment system.
Some Of the early dining-cars we're
rough affairs. compared with the lux
uriously appointed dining rooms on
wheels that are now found all over the
land. In those elder days you were fore
ed to stand up against a counter built
in the car, fore and aft, and there feed
at a trough almost literally one. since
the top Of the counter was provided
with a ledge TO prevent the plate from
being tossed to the floor by the wob-
bling carr, steadying your hand ana
p1rf nc VOL
muster lust the same as on board ship.
This luxury was for the use Of the
sterner sex only. Women In those days
were not expected TO eat while travel
ing Clumsy as was this arrangement,
II was an Improvement on the railroad
restaurant. into which you rushed 20
grab your food and swallow 1t without
going through the process OF mastlcatloI'
and swallow a cup OF boiling-hot coffee
In your haste your seLse OF taste was
paralyzed so that you were unable 70 ten
what the scaldng beverage was, all the
time in mortal terror that the conductor
irritating shout, "All aboard! would come
before you had secured a fair equiVa-
lent for your money.
The drawing-rC ON and sleeplrs cars
of these days have come through pro-
cess of evolution. Admirable as they are
I'm many ways as pIeNt itdiF'9 W i""N'
Of the we1riness Of long railroad Jour
news. they ere stiil far from perfect
The science OF heating them has reach
ed a high point, but I'm the best Of them
particularly the sleeping-cars, ventilation
IL never first rate There are many mi
nor points that can be easily bettered.
WHY is H. for instance. that you never
nnd a clock In n drawing-rOom carr
Ts q because every passenger who can
afford the luxury Of the car is supposed
10 be furnished With a Frodsham enron
ometer or Jurgensen repeater Never
theless. the clock would be appreciated
and 80. too. would be timetable, IN
big type OF the actual train on which
YOU are travelling AS bit or evidence
10 show the slowness OF evolution, IL
is interesting 10 note that only with
I'm a short time has there been built
drawing-room or sleeping-car IN which
every corner and edge are rounded on
so as to prevent discomfort If you are
tossed or thrown against partition or
casing.-Boston Transcript