502 MOUNTING, POSITION ON THE BOX, ETC. 



6. The proper length of the tugs. 



7. The proper length of the pole-pieces, pole-chains, neck yoke-straps. 



8. The proper length of the bearing-rein. 



9. The proper length of the breast-plate. 



10. The proper length of the standing martingale. 



11. The proper length of the coupling-reins. 



12. The proper position of the breeching-seat. 



13. The proper position of the saddle. 



14. The proper position of the collar. 



15. The proper position of the winkers. 



16. The proper position of the bit. 



17. The proper position of the billets of the reins in the bit. 



The coachman, having satisfied himself that nothing is 

 amiss, should stand on the off side, take the reins in the left 

 hand, the near rein over the forefinger and the off rein be- 

 tween the second and third fingers. The whip should then 

 be held, five or six inches from the end, against the palm 

 of right hand by the thumb, second and little fingers. The 

 servant should then step back until he is in line with the 

 step to the box seat or fore hub, when the reins should be 

 passed into the right hand and held in the same manner 

 as before. The coachman is now free to use his left hand 

 in grasping the rail of the box in mounting. Before taking 

 his seat he should draw the skirts of his coat down close 

 about the body so that there will be no wrinkles or bulging 

 folds when he is seated. The legs, from the knees to the 

 feet, should be almost vertical, or the feet advanced a trifle, 

 the heels tosrether and the knees from four to six inches 

 apart. There is a theory that if the servant balances him- 

 self on the outer rim of the box and draws his feet in so that 

 only the toes of his feet touch, he will obtain the much de- 

 sired lightness of hand. Whatever little he may gain in this 



