Tilbury
Description
The tilbury was a light, open, two-wheeled carriage with or without a top. Its wheels were large and moved fast over rough roads. It was often considered a cheep, fast, light, and dangerous vehicle. The back was a spindle back seat with curved padded backrests. The tilbury is a modification of the Gig that was developed in the 17th century. The design of the tilbury was developed in france by Fitzroy Stanhope.
Quick Facts
- Capacity: 1-3 Persons
- Average Speed: 7 mph
- Power: 1 Horse
- Cost: $5,695 (2007)
Literary Analysis of Its Significance
Tilburries were luxery vehicles by 19th century standards. The BMW or Mercadies of France in 1800's. We can derive this from Emma seeing the Vicomte. A vehicle is described earlier as looking "almost" like a Tilburry because of new lamps and some leather seats; Luxury items in that time period.
Appearances in Madame Bovary
Part 3 Ch. 7
"'Watch out!' The cry came from within a porte-cochere that was swinging open; she stopped, and out came a black horse, prancing between the shafts of a tilburry. A gentleman in sables was holding the reins. Who was he? She knew him.... The carriage leapt forward and was gone.
The vicomte! It was the vicomte! She turned to stare: the street was empty. And the encounter left her so crusehd, so immeasurably sad, that she leaned against a wall to keep from falling." (Pg 352)
Part 2, Ch 13:
Suddenly a blue tilbury crossed the square at a smart
trot. Emma gave a cry, fell abruptly backwards and lay on
the floor.
Rodolphe had decided, after a good deal of thought, to
leave for Rouen. Since the Yonville road was the only route
from La Huchette to Buchy, he had to pass through the village,
and Emma had recognized him in the glow of his carriage
lights as they flashed in the gathering dusk like a streak of
lightning.
Part 1 Ch. 5
And her husband, knowing that she liked to go for drives, bought a second-hand two wheeled buggy. With new lamps and quilted leather mudguards it looked almost like a tilbury.
(p.38)
References