But perhaps the most glorified piece of furniture in the house, was the bed, which could be had at all prices, from the[92] 'new sacking bottom'd Bedsteads at 11_s._ a piece' to that imperial couch which was a prize in a lottery 'by her Majesty's permission,'[93] 'A Rich Bed, 7 Foot broad, 8 foot long, and about 14 foot high, in which is no less than Two Thousand Ounces of Gold and Silver wrought in it; Containing four Curtains Embroidered on both sides alike, on a white Silk Tabby, Three Vallains with Tassels, three Basses, two Bone-graces, and four Cantoneers Embroider'd on Gold Tissue Cloth, cost 3,000_l._, put up at 1,400_l._' This, of course, was an extraordinary bed; but the price of bed Furniture really seems to have been 'from 6_l._ or 7_l._ per Bed to 40_l._ per Bed, with all sorts of fine Chain Stitch Work.' Velvet, both in crimson and other colours, was also a favourite for bed-hangings, and cost 40_l._ at least. One quilt is described, but I fairly give it up--'Stole out of the house of John Barnes, &c., a _Culgee_ quilt.' [Footnote 92: _Harl._ 5996, 87.] [Footnote 93: _Ibid._ 5961, 326.] [Illustration: A Bed.] CHAPTER VI. SERVANTS. Number of servants -- Footmen -- Wages -- Liveries -- 'How d'ye' -- The Upper Gallery -- Footmen's Parliament -- Accomplishments -- White slaves from Barbary -- Negro slaves -- Runaways -- Apprentices. The quantity of servants in vogue at that time, especially of male servants, seems to us to be excessive, but when we look how useful they were, apart from their menial duties, as guards, and assistants when the carriage stuck in a deep rut when travelling, and remember that the old feudal system of having retainers about one for show was then only moribund (it is not yet dead), their number is accounted for. First on the list stands my lord's page, who wore his livery, although of more costly material than that worn by the footman. He served his apprenticeship as 'a little foot page,' but it was always understood that, afterwards, his rise in life should be looked to by his patron. It was very much the same relation that existed between knight and squire. How he accompanied his lord on state occasions is shown in one of the illustrations of carriages. Steele speaks disparagingly of the lad's position.[94] 'I know a Man of good Sense who put his Son to a Blacksmith, tho' an Offer was made him of his being received a Page to a Man of Quality.' [Footnote 94: _Spectator_, 214.]