,,, jusqu’aux chauffeurs qui abandonnèrent leurs fourneaux. {x} seems that ‘chauffer’ means literally ‘stoker’ — of a steam engine:
1896, “a motorist,” from French chauffeur, literally “stoker,” operator of a steam engine, French nickname for early motorists, from chauffer “to heat,” from Old French chaufer “to heat, warm up; to become hot” (see chafe). The first motor-cars were steam-driven. Sense of “professional or paid driver of a private motor car” is from 1902.
.i`` * ^ / . . . . . ` `~ 