358 GROOMS GETTING DOWN CH. XV 



The brake may be used, however, to advantage 

 in descending a slippery slope, even if the grade is 

 but slight ; a horse, when holding back, is apt to 

 pull away from the pole, and in that position is 

 likely to slip sideways on a smooth pavement. 



The person sitting on the off side roof-seat of a 

 coach should never touch the brake unless he is 

 asked to do so by the coachman. 



In driving in a crowd, the horses should always be 

 kept 'in their bridles,' or, in more exact language, 

 ' up to their bits.' If this is not done, they will not 

 respond promptly to an indication of the reins. In 

 fact, horses well driven should always go up to their 

 bits, quite a different thing from pulling or taking 

 hold too much. In crowded streets, it is quite neces- 

 sary to take care that the near leader be not struck 

 by the wheel of a carriage which, overtaking the 

 coach and passing on the left-hand side, turns in 

 too soon in front of the leaders ; unless the horses 

 are well in hand they cannot be pulled off to the 

 right quickly enough to avoid the blow. 



The grooms should not get down and go to the 

 horses' heads whenever there is a block or a slight 

 stop. It indicates an habitual nervousness on the 

 part of the coachman or a want of confidence in his 

 skill, on the part of his men. There are occasions 

 when it is necessary, and then active men who can 

 get to the spot quickly, are invaluable, but the fin- 

 ished coachman rarely requires such aid. In driving 

 away from a difficult place, the men may linger a 



