226 COACHIMG. 



more steadiness, would have been scarcely in- 

 ferior to Stevenson, of the Brighton "Age;" 

 but his exuberant, buoyant spirits ran away 

 with him sometimes ; he would lark, and the 

 " old gentleman " himself could not have stopped 

 him. His drag was as well appointed as the 

 Duke's, and looked coaching all over, without a 

 spice of slang, the prevailing error of many 

 amateurs of that day. 



Lord Harborough gave the tyros a hint touch- 

 ing the stamp of horses befitting the occasion. 

 He always drove a good sort himself, and 

 eschewed the long tails ; and, but for a little 

 infirmity of temper occasionally, he put his team 

 along in very good form. No man can excel on 

 the box who is not gifted with good temper and 

 patience ; for not only his comfort, but his life 

 and the necks of his friends depend upon the 

 above qualities. Horses have as many whims 

 and caprices as their drivers have ; they enter- 

 tain likes and dislikes, in imitation of their 

 owners ; and a little attention to the temper 

 and disposition of this useful quadruped is as 

 necessary as any part of the supervision of the 

 stable. 



Lord Poltimore's team of roans were always 

 up to the mark, and were such fast steppers 



