1663, p. 23, will, in a great measure, ascertain the time of the
introduction of glass coaches. He says, "I could wish her (i. e.
Mary Carleton's) coach (which she said my lord Taff bought for her
in England, and sent it over to her, made of the new fashion, wide
glasse, very stately; and her pages and lacquies were of the same
livery,) was come for me," &c.]

The ladies were afraid of being shut up in them: they greatly preferred
the pleasure of showing almost their whole persons, to the conveniences
of modern coaches: that which was made for the king not being remarkable
for its elegance, the Chevalier de Grammont was of opinion that
something ingenious might be invented, which should partake of the
ancient fashion, and likewise prove preferable to the modern; he
therefore sent away Termes privately with all the necessary instructions
to Paris: the Duke of Guise was likewise charged with this commission;
and the courier, having by the favour of Providence escaped the
quicksand, in a month's time brought safely over to England the most
elegant and magnificent calash that had ever been seen, which the
Chevalier presented to the king.

The Chevalier de Grammont had given orders that fifteen hundred louis
should be expended upon it; but the Duke of Guise, who was his friend,
to oblige him, laid out two thousand. All the court was in admiration
at the magnificence of the present; and the king, charmed with the
Chevalier's attention to everything which could afford him pleasure,
failed not to acknowledge it: he would not, however, accept a present of
so much value, but upon condition that the Chevalier should not refuse
another from him.

The queen, imagining that so splendid a carriage might prove fortunate
for her, wished to appear in it first, with the Duchess of York. Lady
Castlemaine, who had seen them in it, thinking that it set off a fine
figure to greater advantage than any other, desired the king to lend her
this wonderful calash to appear in it the first fine day in Hyde Park:
Miss Stewart had the same wish, and requested to have it on the same
day. As it was impossible to reconcile these two goddesses, whose former
union was turned into mortal hatred, the king was very much perplexed.

Lady Castlemaine was with child, and threatened to miscarry, if her
rival was preferred; Miss Stewart threatened, that she never would be
with child, if her request was not granted. This menace prevailed, and
Lad