The mirror, like other expensive luxuries, was often prohibited by the clergy of the Protestant Church; and many a rich burgher was reprimanded for spending so much money on mirrors, porcelain and furniture, and giving so little to the Church. The most beautiful mirrors were probably found in The Hague, where the reception rooms and bedrooms were usually decorated in the “style Louis XIV.” Some of these were of Venetian glass with beautiful crystal borders and crystal lustres at the side. Frequently these were placed above the richly carved mantelpiece. The bedsteads, often richly carved, were of oak, walnut or _sacredaan_, and were always hung with curtains. A deep valance often decorated the base. The centre of the canopy was ornamented with the family coat-of-arms, and each corner with a bouquet of many coloured plumes. Sometimes the bedstead was on a platform, and the rich hangings were supported by caryatides and the festoons of the canopy by carved cupids. The bedsteads were high, and a ladder or steps was required to climb into them. Little steps or foot benches stood in front of the bedstead and were sometimes used for seats or tables, somewhat like the old _escarbeau_ of Mediaeval days. One species of bedstead was known as the “coach,” or “rolling coach.” This was intended for children, and the name “coach” was extended to include the children’s sleeping-place. Mention is made in a treasurer’s account of Dordrecht (1586) of “three bedsteads with a coach underneath,” which shows that the coach is the trundle or truckle bed. Tables and chairs were found in every room. About 1640, the “drop-leaf” or “hang-ear” tables came into use. They were usually made of solid walnut- or _sacredaan_ wood. The chairs had high curved, or leather, backs and low seats of leather, on top of which were placed loose cushions or pillows, which were often piled up so high on the seat that a child standing on tiptoe could not see over the pillow on the seat of the chair. Chairs were also covered with rich damask, serge and other woollen goods. In the old inventories mention is made of “Prussia leather table chairs,” ebony carved chairs, red cloth covered _sacredaan_ wood chairs with pillows of different shapes, and of high-backed carved walnut table chairs. [Illustration: PLATE XLV.—_Flemish Chair._ CLUNY MUSEUM, PARIS. ]