248 COACHING. 



cabriolet and horse to match are abominations 

 not to be endured. 



I have said that a cabriolet should be well 

 " got up ;" and in order to do this the owner 

 must possess two horses — one for daylight, 

 and another for night work ; a clever " screw" 

 will answer for the latter purpose — one, how- 

 ever, that can go the pace, although he can 

 never show until the gas is lit. No one who 

 values a good horse would dream of allowing 

 him to stand exposed to chilly blasts at the 

 opera, the theatre, or his club. 



At no period were carriages better constructed 

 or more neatly turned out than they are in 

 the present day, both as regards vehicles, har- 

 ness, and horses. At the same time, without 

 being hypercritical, I think some changes might 

 be made for the better. Let me instance the 

 following : — A coachman's curly wig seems 

 quite out of character when we consider the 

 costume of the day, and it certainly might be 

 dispensed with. Again, a light victoria or 

 brougham are often to be seen with a pair of 

 horses to each, whereas one fine stepper would 

 be preferable ; then (happily only in a few- 

 instances) the case is reversed, and a carriage, 

 open or shut, meant for two horses, has only 



