66 DRIVING. 



of it by going at it with an impetus, suffering the pace 

 to merge into a walk without further pressure as the 

 first impetus declines. 



When the ascent is long and gradual, horses should 

 be allowed to walk the whole way, which can always 

 be admitted of on ordinary roads, where the pace is not 

 intended to exceed eight miles an hour, as the speed 

 may be accelerated when the fall of ground is reached, 

 without distressing the animals. 



Let a man suppose himself to be obliged to wheel 

 a hand-cart with a heavy burden for a given distance 

 within a given time, on an undulating roadway, and he 

 will soon discover the course he would pursue to effect 

 his object: he would certainly save himself by going 

 very slowly up the hills, and make up the time and dis- 

 tance with most ease by rolling the vehicle at a rapid 

 rate down the declivities. Let the principle of working 

 thus exemplified be always applied to the usage of 

 horses in harness. 



An old driving maxim may be added, though not 

 recommended by the metre : — 



*' Up the hill spare me ; 



Down hill let me run and bear me; 

 On the level never fear me." 



Or,- 



" Walk me a mile out and a mile in ; 

 Up the hill spur me not, 

 Down the hill I'll walk or trot; 

 On the plain spare me not ; 

 In the stable forget me not." 



I have driven a great deal in my life, and have never 

 met with an accident from driving at a fair trot down 

 a moderate hill, with plenty of road-room, and no turn- 



