A six-sided carousel is arranged upon a hexagonal base with glass and wooden column sides, the frame of precious wood decorated with inlay, an elaborately gilt lettered "Bernard Freres" on one bottom panel. The carousel has a canvas canopy decorated with scallops, lace, pearls, and colored glass baubles, and supports an elaborate arrangement of riders and vehicles: three groups of horsemen (black, brown and white horses in two sizes, with riders),three gondola chairs with passengers, two dancing dolls posed in front of a faux-street organ with monkey player. Movements: the carousel revolves merrily; the horses and riders move up and down, and the girls dance. By mid-19th century the railroad was well established throughout Europe. A local craftsman, Auguste Lassueur of St. Croix, Switzerland hit upon the notion of placing a series of musical mechanical objects in railroad waiting rooms as entertainment for passengers, but also, having a coin slot for operation, as a source of revenue for the station. There is a legend that thieves often wanted to share in the profits, too. To prevent this, Lassueur placed a 6mm caliber gun with blank cartridge inside the coin drawer; the blank was designed to fire when the drawer was illegitimately opened, alerting the railway staff to capture the thief! The Lassueur creations were of several styles; the musical carousel was considered the most charming and the quality of the music box extraordinary. Circa 1890. 24"H x 23"diam. (61 x 58 cm). Six tunes. Cabinet labeled Bernard Freres.