350 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON DRIVING CH. XV 



teacher and to be constantly objecting to or criti- 

 cising his methods is a mistake, although not an 

 uncommon one. 



In addition to taking all the regular lessons that 

 he can get, the beginner will find it greatly to his 

 advantage to observe carefully any skilful performer 

 alongside of whom it may be his good fortune to be 

 placed ; even when a man is well advanced, he will 

 often learn much by watching another who does not 

 drive as well as himself, if only by noticing mistakes. 



The time required to become a fairly good four- 

 in-hand coachman will depend upon a variety of 

 circumstances. If the beginner is young and strong, 

 and has already had a good deal of experience with 

 horses, two or three months of conscientious work 

 under a good teacher will put him well on the way, 

 but only years of practice will make him a master 

 of the art. 



It must be remembered that there are two parts 

 in all driving ; one is general, relating to everything 

 connected with the management of horses ; it is the 

 same, whether one, two, or four are in hand, and 

 may be likened to general strategy ; the second 

 resembles tactics, and must be separately learned 

 in every branch of the service. A movement well 

 planned and well executed is likely to be successful ; 

 one well planned but badly executed is doubtful ; 

 one badly planned but well executed may come out 

 right, but one badly planned and badly executed is 

 sure to be a failure. 



