COACHING DAYS AND WAYS 



back his wheels if he broke into a gallop. This 

 happened only once in the seventh mile, which 

 he nevertheless completed in 33 minutes. On his 

 return the pacing of the horses was a picture. 

 The match was won fairly with two minutes and 

 six seconds to spare.' 



A Mr. Houlston in the same year drove his tandem 

 twelve miles on the Winchester Road in one minute 

 thirty-nine seconds under the hour allowed. By 

 this time tandem drivers had come to the reason- 

 able conclusion that the turning penalty (proper 

 enough in trotting matches, whether in shafts or 

 saddle) was excessive for their sport, and * backing' 

 had been substituted therefor. Any one who has 

 had occasion to turn a tandem on the road without 

 assistance will admit that the abolition was wise. 



Long journeys against time were sometimes under- 

 taken. In 1824 



* Captain Bethel Ramsden undertook to drive 

 tandem from Theale to London, 43 miles, in 3 

 hours and 40 minutes. The start took place at four 

 o'clock in the morning, and in the first hour the 

 captain did 12j miles to between Twyford and 

 Hare Hatch. He did in the next hour 12 miles 



60 



