232 



COACHINU. 



liorses that did not require having their heads 

 lield well up would not be deprived of the orna- 

 ment of such a rein, and even with horses 

 that did require it, if the elastic was pretty 

 strong, it would aid them in case of a trip or 

 stumble. 



In former days it was the custom to drive 

 with wheel-reins home — that is, short to the 

 hand; this was decidedly objectionable, especi- 

 ally in hilly counties ; and, with groggy wheel- 

 horses, not unattended with danger, for an 

 awkward blunder might pull you from the box. 

 The running-rein is now universally adopted, 

 and in skilful hands is immeasurably superior 

 to the old system. This is observable in the 

 best-appointed fast coaches, of which there are 

 happily still a few left, as well as private 



carriages. 



The harness of the present day is the ne 

 plus ultra of good taste : it is infinitely lighter 

 than formerly, although equally strong, and 

 the less a horse is encumbered the better. 

 Look how superlatively neat are the traces of the 

 coaching clubs ; they are narrow, but the strength 

 lies in the thickness, and the collars fit to a 

 nicety. The four-in-hand clubs have set a 

 laudable example ; they have produced emu- 



