FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING 139 



the hand should not be stretched out awkwardly, 

 but should just rest easily In front. On this 

 point I may quote from an excellent article on 

 *' Four- Horse Coachmen," published in The 

 Field, July 8, 1899, the whole of which may 

 be read with profit by would-be coachmen : 

 "What the correct position of the left hand 

 may be has never really been decided. Some 

 coachmen, particularly strong physically, have 

 advocated that the hand should be held well 

 up, while others, and among them even the 

 majority of the old coachmen, were In favour 

 of a low position. The omnibus driver of 

 to-day, although he has two horses instead of 

 four, does not hold up his hand on a level with 

 his watch-pocket, the top button of his trousers, 

 or watch chain, as sundry directions have ruled, 

 but drives with an almost straight arm, a posi- 

 tion which is advocated by Colonel Corbett In 

 his 'Old Coachman's Chatter.' But then the 

 old coachman had to turn but few corners, and 

 he was content to let his hands lie on his lap. 

 But when he had to pull up, to turn a corner, 

 or drive Into an Inn yard, his hands had to 

 come up." 



The fact Is that the position of the left hand 

 Is a good deal a matter of strength, and I should 

 be surprised to find that any coachman working- 

 over a distance of ground, habitually held his 

 hands up. 



