310 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



and as the winkers were hanging" down, she had begun 

 to mill the coach which she saw behind her. No doubt 

 we should have had a case, as we had a considerable fall 

 of road before us, and a regular miller to deal with. 



When on the subject of bridles, I will mention one 

 other precaution. When a wheel horse has a trick of 

 throwing up his head, a nose martingal should be used, 

 as he greatly annoys the mouth of the leader that is 

 before him. I should also observe that the present 

 method of throat-lashing coach horses, makes it still 

 more necessary to pay attention to the firm state of the 

 bridles. In coach work no chance should be thrown 

 away. There is quite sufficient danger when every 

 possible precaution is taken. 



NIGHT WORK. 



Travelling by night, as well as driving at that time 

 for pleasure, appears to be of ancient date. Clodius way- 

 laid Milo in the night on the Appian Way, on his road 

 to Rome ; and the brave but unfortunate Lateranus, the 

 Roman Consul, drove his own chariot, for amusement, in 

 the dead of the night. Amongst the fancies of the poets, 

 I imagine I can trace a faint analogy betwixt their de- 

 scription of Night, and our modern night-work on the 

 road. The sun is represented in his chariot and four; 

 but the goddess Night is in her chariot and pair, as if 

 more fitting the hours of darkness ; and stars are made 

 to precede her course, having a distant resemblance to 

 our modern lamps. 



