154 DRIVING AS I FOUND IT. 



ing of the horses had been entrusted to an amateur 

 horse-keeper. The leaders in their endeavor to start 

 actually pushed each other down; they looked thin, 

 tucked up, and more fit to be turned out for the season 

 than for the work they were engaged in. 



A man may be a A^ery good coachman, yet be a very 

 inferior horseman or brakesman; but the latter cannot 

 be fit for his business unless he is a first-rate coachman, 

 and he requires much more than this: He must under- 

 stand perfectly the habits and tampers of young horses, 

 and indeed of all horses. He must have a clear head, 

 quick apprehension, good temper, great presence of 

 mind, strong nerves, strong but light hands, know 

 every contrivance to thwart the intentions of ^dolent 

 horses and the mode of soothing timid ones. He must 

 be able from habit to judge at once by the manner of a 

 horse what he is likely or preparing to do; in short, 

 to judge what sort of a customer he has to deal with. 

 There is also a great deal of judgment required in put- 

 ting young hoi-ses together, care being taken to match 

 them with due regard as to their way of going, dispo- 

 sition and comfort at Avork, more especially as they 

 will in all probability be driven by several different 

 gentlemen, who drive for pleasure, and for their ease 

 and the safety of the lives of the passengers intrusted 

 to their care, The breaking and properly putting to- 



