Ur-IITLL WORK. 145 



would have brought them home at all. We know 

 that to horses ridden a slight rise of ground makes 

 but little difference ; but a rise, if it was not that of 

 ten feet in a mile, makes the whole difference between 

 ease and hard work in harness. If it was not that 

 gentle declivities put the coach-horse comparatively 

 at rest, he could not live at his work. The trotting 

 up a hill of perhaps nearly half a mile in length with 

 three tons after him takes more out of a horse than 

 can be conceived by many persons : he has fairly 

 earned going a mile at his ease afterwards, and quite 

 deserves to be allowed to make the best of his way 

 where the coach runs after him, though it does frighten 

 Uncle Thomas and Aunt. 



We will suppose two individuals travelling together, 

 the one with a gig and two persons, the other with a 

 four-wheeled phaeton and four persons. We will say 

 they ought not to keep company ; that is, not go the 

 same pace : granted ; but suppose they do, how will 

 the difference of weight affect the two horses ? It 

 will be found to do this in a very eminent degree 

 with the horse in draught, unless the road is a perfect 

 level, for every half-hundred-weight tells wofully on 

 the shoulders when pulling up hill. 



We will conclude an ordinary gig to weigh 300 lb., 

 which is rather a light one, though I always limit my 

 own to 200 lb., quite strong enough if made of good 

 materials for any gig for two persons. We will 

 average the two persons at 1641b. each, list. 10 lb. ; 

 say, with gig and some luggage, 660 lb. Now with 

 this after him any good free stepper will run along 

 nine or ten miles an hour without fatigue; will be 

 able to trot up or down most hills, and consequently 

 need not vary his rate of going more than from eight 



VOL. II. L 



