104. DRIVING AS I FOUND IT. 



THE WHIP. 



Knowing how to use the whip is of much more import- 

 ance than some people imagine. There is really no art in 

 benig able to catch a double thong ; it is merely a knack, 

 and can be easily acquired. I would, however, advise those 

 of my readers who wish to learn to take a lesson from 

 some one competent to teach. Practice until von get 

 perfect. To be able to use the whip is as essential as 

 being ;able to use the reins correctly. What on earth 

 would we think of a carpenter if he did not know how 

 to use a saw. No matter how well you can drive or 

 how complete your turn-out, a ;whip with a thong 

 dangling all over the stick gives it an untidA^ appear- 

 ance besides adding to the discomfiture of the persona 

 riding with you. The thong when allowed to hang 

 down will catch around the hub of the wheel, and un- 

 less you pull up quickly will wind around until you 

 have to let go of the whip altogether. The idea of a 

 coachman not being able to use a whip recalls to my 

 mind an incident which occurred in Boston. I was en- 

 gaged teaching a gentleman to drive a team. Being 

 an apt pupil, he learned very quicldy, and became an 



