76 FOUR-IN-HAND. 



public favour a stage-coach they were 

 striving their utmost to imitate. Indeed, 

 there was something absurd in my eye 

 in a nobleman or gentleman sitting alone 

 on his box, behind a splendid team that 

 required little or no driving, with no 

 companions to share his pleasure, envy 

 his position, or admire his skill: and 

 whose expensive equipage would seem to 

 an indifferent observer, devoted only to 

 the enjoyment of two or more flunkies, 

 seated on the hinder part of the vehicle, 

 with folded arms, surveying the beauties 

 of the surrounding country, through 

 which their master was conveying them 

 so kindly, and in such a magnificent 

 style. 



It is not intended by these observa- 

 tions to detract from the merits, the 

 beauty, or the utility, of the accomplish-, 

 ment of driving four horses well, or to 

 deny the necessity of practice in order 



