DRIVING 103 



and it is therefore well w(3rth while to learn to 

 drive well, even if it be only a pony-cart in which 

 we have to exercise our skill. Now the danger 

 of drivino-, when once the first principles are 

 acquired and a certain amount of practice 

 obtained, is in inverse proportion to the number 

 of horses (up to four ; beyond that I have no 

 experience) you drive. Thus a single horse is 

 more dangerous than a pair or a tandem, and 

 the latter methods have more chance of disaster 

 than a team of four. For there is always the 

 chance with more horses than one, that they 

 will not take it into their heads to do the same 

 thing at once. It is seldom that we drive a 

 pair or a team all of which are of the same 

 disposition, and we are often able to play them 

 off one against another, and balance the 

 strength and weight of one horse by that of 

 his companions. But if we have a single 

 horse, we have to deal with only one will, and 

 have fewer chances in our favour. It is equally 

 impossible to hold one horse or four if he or 

 they are determined to bolt, but it is, as all 

 coachmen know, not a common thino for four 

 horses to make up their minds to go at once, 

 and then there is the weight of the coach to 

 count upon. Therefore I strongly advise all 

 people who drive to learn something of the art, 

 and not to despise good coachmanship, even if 



