2-30 COACHING. 



was always the same, and his borses were 

 of the right sort — large ones in a small 

 compass. 



Captain Augerstein's turn-out was exceedingly- 

 neat, but his horses never had a fair chance, 

 as he was continually chano^ing^ them : and 

 Captain ToUemache was first rate as an 

 amateur whip. Many others are equally 

 worthy of honourable mention, but I have con- 

 fined myself to those I have sat beside on the 

 box. 



A fashion has lately sprung up amongst us, 

 or rather, I should say, been adopted (for it is 

 of American origin), and that is the almost tot^l 

 abolition of the bearino-rein. Much has been 

 said, written, and argued pro and con. ; some 

 assert, and with truth, that, generally speaking, 

 it is less safe, for as the best and soundest horse 

 may once in twelve months make a mistake, 

 the advocates for the loose rein cannot help to 

 admit that a bearing-rein must assist the horse 

 to recover himself under such circumstances. 

 All extremes are bad, and no one would wish to 

 torture an animal's mouth by pulling his head 

 into an unnatural position, like a dromedary, 

 witli an excruciatingly tight bearing-rein ; but, 

 on the other hand, the absence of one is open to 



