THE ROAD. 
cross-roads. It is more simple in its construction than 
that we see on the Continent, and its additional weight 
not exceeding twenty pounds is not worthy of 
regard when balanced against its security to passengers, 
and the benefit wheel-horses derive from being eased of 
the pressure of the Joad, which is considerable, even on 
a moderate descent. 
The question often arises, is there danger in gal- 
loping horses in a coach on perfectly level ground ? 
Under certain circumstances there is. -For instance, if 
there happen to be two horses at wheel which take 
unequal strides in their gallop, their action will be felt 
by the coach they being so near to her and lateral 
motion will be produced, by which her equilibrium may 
be destroyed. When a coach once begins to swing, a 
little thing will upset her even passing over a small 
stone as the faster she goes on level ground, the more 
weight is thrown upon her fore-wheels, and, of course, 
increased on a descent. Neither is a good road a 
security to her ; on the contrary, the harder the surface 
of it the more danger, there being nothing to hold the 
wheels to the ground. If, however, it were possible 
to make the stride and draught of four horses quite 
equal, their increased speed would have but little effect 
on a coach upon tolerably level ground ; which is 
proved by her being quite steady in ascending a hill at 
ever so quick a rate, when every horse is at work. 
This shews the necessity of putting horses well together, 
and driving them with a steady hand. 
I 2 89 
