332 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



the reins by passing the right hand quietly in front of the 

 left. 



. Really First-class Drivers rarely trust to holding 

 the reins in one hand only, even in single harness ; or, if 

 they seem to do so, the right hand is ever ready to be laid 

 upon the off or right hand rein, while the forefinger falls 

 naturally upon the near one ; by this means a gentle 

 pressure can be exercised either by it or by the exterior 

 angle of the hand which rests upon the off leather. A good 

 coachman will always at starting take the reins in both 

 hands ; and animals ought to be trained to start slowly and 

 collectedly — not with anything that resembles a jerk. The 

 " show " in which some drivers delight to indulge, both at 

 starting and when the horses are at rest, by first flicking 

 them with the whip and then pulling them sharply up, can- 

 not be too strongly deprecated. 



The Whip, although esteemed a necessary adjunct to 

 driving apparatus, should be used as sparingly as possible 

 — more, in fact, as an instructor, than as a means of inflicting 

 punishment. There is nothing nicer in driving than seeing 

 the whip in rest, and the horses, fearless of its severities, 

 going gaily up to their bridles, restrained by a master hand. 



To BE ABLE TO DRIVE A TEAM is not considered a great 

 feat by many men, or, indeed, by some women, in these 

 latter days ; but of course there is driving and driving — 

 both of different sorts. I approve of studying under a 

 first-class wagoner, and being guided entirely by him. To 

 be a good four-in-hand driver requires courage, coolness 



