HINTS TO BEGINNERS. 131 



strong shoe with neat spatts, thin for summer, thick for winter, 

 is the most comfortable wear for a coachman. Aprons and 

 coats are mere matters of taste, but for real bad weather there 

 is nothing like a very wide waterproof apron to buckle round 

 the waist, with a coat of unusual dimensions to fit over it. 

 Arrayed in this costume it is impossible to get even damp. 



PART II. 

 BY COL. HUGH SMITH BAILLIE. 



The rule of the road is a paradox quite : 

 When you meet those who travel along, 



If you go to the left, you are sure to go right, 

 If you go to the right, you go wrong. ' 



I TRUST my readers will understand that I am addressing 

 beginners, and I hope they will not think my style of writing 

 abrupt or dictatorial ; for it can only be like my experience in 

 coaching, rough and ready : but that experience I gained on 

 slow and fast coaches before railways were made, and during 

 the last few years before railway travelling became general, and 

 I may be able to offer some practical hints which will be of 

 service to young coachmen. 



A beginner should commence by learning to drive one 

 horse. First learn to hold the reins properly, and to sit firmly 

 and in a good position on the driving-seat. The position of 

 the left hand should be easy and natural, the wrist and hand 

 straight, the thumb and first finger uppermost, and the little 

 finger down ; the left hand must not be turned across the body 

 nor back to the left, because both these positions weaken the 

 wrist and arm, which will soon ache and tire. Elbows should 



1 The late Harry Villebois of Marham, Norfolk, father-in-law of the writer 

 of the following pages, is responsible for this quatrain. B. 



