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The book of trades; or, Familiar descriptions of the most useful trades, manufactures, and arts practised in England : and the manner in which the workmen perform their various employments.
(undated, inscribed 1829)

The coach-maker.,   p. 37


Page 37


37
     THE COACH-MAKER.
  CCACHES, Professor BECKMANN inform
us, were made about the beginning of the
Sixteenth century, at which time the use of
them were confined to women, it being
considered disgraceful for men to ride in
them. According to STOW, Coaches were
first introduced into England from Germany,
by the Earl of ARUNDEL, about the middle
of the sixteenth century. There is no ar-
ticle of luxury in which greater improve-
ments have- been made than in Coaches;
which seem, at the present time, to want
nothing either with regard to ease or ele-
gance.  The body of the Coach is built
chiefly of ash; but the pannels are generally
made of mahogany.    The upper part is
covered with highly varnished leather, and
the insides generally lined with woollen cloth
stuffed with horsehair. Coaches requiring
to be finished in a higher style, are some-
times lined with velvet, silk, or morocco
leather. The business of a Coach-maker
is divided into different branches, such as
the body makers, the carriage makers, the
trimmers, the body and herald painters, and
smniths. A Coach-maker is obliged to have
a licenice, and give an account of all the car-
riages he makes and to whom he sells them,
                   E


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