I io DRIVING. 



Thus, putting down 2o/. a year as an approximate sum for 

 shoeing, veterinary attendance, repairs, and making good gene- 

 rally, it may be roughly but approximately stated that with an 

 original outlay of i6o/. and at an annual charge of i2o/. a 

 man may set up and completely keep a waggonette and one 

 horse. 



A word of caution must here be said with reference to 

 waggonettes, and indeed to other carriages which are indifferently 

 made for one horse or for two. It not seldom happens that 

 carriages which are fitted with shafts and pole are not in reality 

 broad enough for two horses. The result is likely to be 

 dangerous if a pair be driven ; for when the animals trot, and 

 more so when they gallop, their hind feet in consequence 

 of the narrowness of the carriage will very probably strike 

 against the wheel ; moreover, when the roads are wet and 

 dirty, a continual shower of mud is thrown up on to the hind 

 quarters of the horses, just beneath their tails. If one of these 

 things does not alarm the horses, it is probable that the other 

 will, and with both combined the chances of the animals either 

 starting off kicking or else bolting are very great. If they 

 kick, damage will be done either to the horse or carriage, or 

 both ; if they bolt, the hind feet hit the trap at the gallop 

 harder than they did at the trot, the mud is thrown with in- 

 creased violence, and the cost of a carriage is likely to be 

 supplemented by the purchase of a new pair of horses and the 

 payment of a doctor's bill. 



In London the single carriage will probably be a brougham 

 possibly a victoria ; but if it is a choice between the two 

 there is little reason to be influenced by pecuniary considera- 

 tion. The cost of keep is, as a rule, greater for a London 

 than for a country carriage. In the country it is most likely 

 that to a residence the owner of which is likely to find a 

 carriage essential a coach-house is attached. Highly rented 

 London houses are very frequently without this adjunct, and 

 so stable room, standing in a coach-house, and groom's apart- 

 ment have to be hired in some convenient mews. A horse 



