THE ROAD, 
ounce out of a wheel-horse by the use of his double 
thong, or his apprentice, and the point of his lash told 
terribly upon his leaders. He likewise applied it 
scientifically; it was directed under the bar to the 
flank, and after the third hit he brought it up to his 
hand by the draw, so that it never got entangled in the 
pole-chains, or in any part of the harness. He could 
untie a knot with his teeth and tie another with his 
tongue, as well as he could with his hands ; and if his 
thong broke off in the middle, he could splice it with 
dexterity, and even with neatness, as his coach was 
proceeding on its journey. In short, he could do what 
coachmen of the present day cannot do, because they 
have not been called upon to do it ; and he likewise 
could do what they never try to do namely, he 
could drive when he was drunk nearly as well as when 
he was sober. He was very frequently a faithful 
servant to his employers ; considered trustworthy by 
bankers and others in the country through which he 
passed; and as humane to his horses, perhaps, as the 
adverse circumstances he was placed in by his masters 
would admit. 
It has been suggested to road surveyors, that, if 
they would leave a narrow slip of loose gravel on the 
near side of severe hills, or those of only moderate 
declivity where the fall is a long one, and the road 
hard, it would save innumerable accidents in the course 
of the year, as the moment a coachman found his coach 
was getting the better of his horses, or should any 
100 
