384 The Book of the Horse. 



in adding to the comforts and luxuries of the park drag. But it has one drawback : it only 

 affords four good seats, all outside, in addition to the driver's, viz., his companion's and the 

 three favoured mortals who sit behind him, although seats are sometimes improvised in re- 

 turning from picnics, races, or other social meetings on the roof, as well as those facing and 

 alongside the groom ; yet it is not an arrangement to be commended. 



Thirdly, the old-fashioned break, formerly chiefly used for exercising the stud and bring- 

 ing fodder from the farm, which has been converted into a very lu.xurious open carriage — - 

 as a wagonette — with a high driving seat, holding two on the box and si.x or more inside, 

 with places for two grooms, in two spoon-like seats outside, below the level of the company. 

 Fourthly, borrowed and improved from the Continent, the cliar-a-banc, with a high driving 

 seat, which divides the guests inside into rows across, instead of their sitting opposite as in a 

 wagonette. 



One advantage of the two last described carriages is that they can be built of a size and 

 weight to suit any size of blood ponies and horses, from twelve to sixteen hands high, and 

 the wagonette can be converted into an omnibus. 



H.R.H. the Princess of Wales, when at Sandringham, drives from a high seat a very 

 neat char-d-banc, four brown ponies, about twelve hands high, in hand. This carriage holds 

 four inside, with two grooms sitting back, as on a dog-cart. 



MAXIMS FOR YOUNG COACHMEN. 



1. Look over horses, harness, and coach, before starting. 



2. Make the team stand while you take your seat deliberately. 



3. Start slowly, with the leaders out of the bars, but the traces slack. 



4. With an eye to your leaders, look well ahead. 



5. Don't shave close what you pass ; take plenty of room round a corner. 



6. Go slowly over the crown of all hills, great or small. 



7. Look to the condition of each horse when you halt after driving a distance. 



THE EXPENSES OF ROAD COACHING. 



The following figures are not estimates, but the actual expenses which were divided 

 between two gentlemen who worked thirty miles one of the pleasantest routes out of London 

 in first-rate style : — 



25 horses, at ^60 each ... ... ... ... ... ... £^iS°o 



6 sets of harness, at ^7 105. ... ... ... ... ... 45 



Other expenditure, say ... ... ... ... ... ... 255 



Capital required ... ... ... ... ... ... ^1,800 



IW'ck/y Expenses. 

 Hire of coach, 2\A. a mile 

 Coachman's wages 

 Guard 



Horse-keepers 

 Enrage 

 Shoeing 

 Standing of coach at both ends of journey 



Las I 8s. 

 The capital would be partly returned on the sale of the horses, &c. 



