FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



be more airy. He is making the creature do 

 what is desired to the best possible advantage, 

 and that is " hands " in its best development, be 

 methods approved or condemned. He combats 

 each wayward movement and awkward turn with 

 so much finesse and apparent ease that the on- 

 looker is completely deceived ; and he wends his 

 way through complicated traffic, his horse always 

 in hand ; careful to anticipate any awkward move, 

 and requiring just enough increasingly correct per- 

 formance from his pupil to advance his education 

 while it neither confuses nor discourages him. 

 Watch him as he is about to turn at the end of 

 the block ; part way round, the mouth subtly 

 telegraphs that the horse does not quite under- 

 stand, or does not wish to describe the correct 

 semi-circle intended ; like a flash the reins " fish " 

 the mouth, and if the answer still is "no," a step 

 or two in a straight line, and then another at- 

 tempt, or a turn the other way, but no confusion, 

 and no quarrel ; here is a trolley on one side, and 

 a steam drill on the other; forcing the pupil up to 

 his bit, the driver fairly lifts him through, shifting 

 the bit, and using all his arts to bring about the 

 safe passage which he invariably secures. The 

 spectator may say that this charioteer had no 



108 



