FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING 



trivance to be used only at a pinch, as when the 

 load is getting, or has obtained, the best of the 

 wheelers on a down grade. They will not use it 

 otherwise, but jar the wheel horses to pieces in 

 their efforts to hold back a huge load by their 

 necks (the breastplates being half the time too 

 loose to afford any help), and yet maintain the 

 brisk pace demanded ; nor will they apply it 

 after pulling up. Surely it was meant for use, 

 and certainly it is a labor-saver and a safeguard. 

 The " old-timers " did n't have it, we will allow, 

 but there were several things they lacked, includ- 

 ing ingenuity. Pray do not be led astray by 

 such arguments. There has never seemed any 

 good reason for working it by hand, except that 

 no one likes to incur ridicule through manipula- 

 ting it by the foot. The hand lever is in the 

 way ; it may entail operation when the hand has 

 plenty of other things to attend to, and if it 

 " pushes " ( instead of " pulls " ) one must throw 

 his weight forward at the very instant when, 

 through some emergency, he needs to throw 

 it backward in pulling up his team. Is this ordi- 

 narily practical ? 



When ready to mount the box, place the reins 

 in your left hand, as you are accustomed to hold 



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