214 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



trifling ones, attending the short wheel-rein. In the first 

 place, there is a neatness about it. There is not that 

 bunch of reins hanging down a coachman's knees in ap- 

 parent confusion, which is occasioned by the use of the 

 long wheel-rein. In the second place, the short wheel- 

 rein being so completely separated from the leader's rein, 

 is much more handy, and more come-at-able with a cold 

 hand or clumsy finger than when both run through the 

 hand. But the chief advantage the short wheel-rein has 

 over the loner one is, as it relates to the near-wheel horse. 

 If he is to be got at in a hurry > a mistake may easily 

 be made with the long one, in consequence of its running 

 immediately under the leader s rein, and being completely 

 confined by it. When in this place, it can only be got at 

 by fishing for it under that rein, or by drawing it behind 

 the left hand, in both which cases a difficulty may arise. 

 The leading rein passing over it completely prevents 

 its beino" shifted. With the short one a coachman has 

 nothing to do but to catch hold of it anywhere to the 

 right of his left hand, where it is quite free, and a pull 

 there operates either way, without the possibility of a 

 mistake. If he wants to pull his wheebhorses to the off 

 side of the road, he has nothing to do but to pull the rein 

 to the right, and if to the near side, the same pull does 

 it, only suffering the rein to run through his left hand, 

 and when far enough to command his horses, gripping it 

 firmly in that hand till he has got his coach into its place, 

 and then letting it slide back to its original even bearing. 

 Use, however, in a great measure regulates these matters ; 

 but, were a coachman accustomed to the short wheel- 



