RIDING AND DRIVING 251 



A good rider is apt to be also a tolerable driver. 

 The contrary of this, however, is not in the least 

 the case. There are many good drivers who were 

 never mounted in their lives. Probably also there 

 are many more good drivers in this country than 

 good riders. It is with us a more universal method 

 of employing the horse. Notwithstanding this, 

 good driving is by no means universal. Indeed I 

 doubt whether it is common. It seems the easiest 

 thing in the world to sit in a wagon and pull on 

 the right rein or the left and go wheresoever one 

 chooses. Because it seems so easy all kinds and 

 conditions of people essay to drive no matter how 

 little experience they may have. I have some- 

 times been nearly scared out of my wits in driving 

 with a man or woman whose every act displayed 

 ignorance of even first principles. Probably no 

 more grievous insult could be paid to a man than 

 to betray lack of confidence in his capacity to 

 drive, and latterly when I have been asked to go 

 with a man, even to the golf links two miles away, 

 when I knew he did not know how to handle the 

 reins or manage a horse I have blandly declined. 

 Death comes to all of us, but there seems to be 



