HORNS. 281 



or a point, the latter is more severe, called a " cutting whip." 

 The end of the hand-piece of those forms with a loop end 

 usually terminate in horn handles, while those with the 

 pointed end are generally finished off with a round end with 

 a metal button in the centre. (See D, Fig. 151.) 



The metal mounts, whenever used, should be of plain 

 silver or brass ; chased metal and ivory handles are on the 

 circus order, which should not be trespassed upon. All whips 

 should be solid enough to be serviceable and above being 

 confounded with toy whips. A lash should only be used 

 when the rider has charge of hounds, for which purpose a 

 good stout plaited horsehide thong about ten feet long is 

 required. 



HORNS. 



" Though the coachmen of old are dead, 



Though the guards are turned to clay, 

 You will still remember the yard of tin 

 And the Mail of the olden day." 



" The yard of tin " of the olden time has become trans- 

 formed into the long, graceful, well-ribbed and melodious 

 horn of the present day. The former was more perishable, 

 and inferior in every way to the modern copper or brass 

 horn. The writer is unable to discover even approximately 

 when the coach horn was first introduced, but it is well 

 known that at first the guards of the English mails used key 

 bugles for the purpose of clearing the roads. These bugles 

 were succeeded by the " yard of tin," which was soon dis- 

 carded by the fast mail and night coaches in favor of the 

 copper or brass horns, and would have long since been for- 

 gotten had not its characteristic description been humorously 

 or derisively applied to the latter. 



