THE B. D. C, AND FOUR-HORSE CLUB. 271 



or, in other words, to promote the circulation of the 

 blood. 1 Although they recommend them to preserve 

 their feet and bodies from cold, they are no advo- 

 cates for their lapping up their necks with large shawl 

 handkerchiefs ; but, on the contrary, they attribute the 

 illness and death of many of them to this cause alone. 

 In cold weather the chin should be protected by a thin 

 shawl, and the knees by good thick cloth knee-caps. 

 Leather waistcoats are excellent preventives of rheu- 

 matism, and in very severe weather the breast should be 

 doubly protected, for which purpose hare-skins are now 

 manufactured, and getting much into use on the road. 

 The leather waistcoat is very strongly recommended, as 

 not being parous, and therefore warm. It is also as- 

 serted, but I have never tried it, that a sheet of brown 

 paper worn over the breast is preferable to either. The 

 recipe is simple and cheap. 



THE R D. C, AND FOUR-HORSE CLUB. 



Having mentioned the Driving Clubs as contributing 

 so effectually to the improvements in roads and travelling, 

 I proceed to a little account of their origin and pro- 

 ceedings. 



The B. D. C. or Benson Driving Chib, was instituted 

 on February 28, 1807, consisting of twenty-five members 

 elected by ballot. There is no annual subscription, but 



1 To be effectual, take it ' cold with,' — Ed, 



