74 " KNOW THYSELF." 



" in field and flood," and yet on the road have always 

 (thank my luck) kept my coach upright. I have 

 been also thought as a horseman no despicable work- 

 man across any practicable country, and, mirabile 

 dictu, have won two out of three of the only races 

 across country I ever rode. Now this has just given 

 me sufficient knowledge of the thing to determine, 

 that had I a horse to go to-morrow, and I was allowed 

 to ride him at 11 st., if I had the alternative of putting 

 Powell, or Oliver, and some others, on him at 12st. 

 7lb., unless I was determined to lose my money I 

 would solicit either of them to ride him at the addi- 

 tional weight ; and yet I know what weight does or 

 rather undoes. " A little knowledge is a dangerous 

 thing." I really flatter myself I possess comparatively 

 a good deal in these matters 5 yet this teaches me that 

 I do not know quite half enough, and also that many 

 who profess a great deal really know nothing at all. 



If a man from inclination or circumstances is des- 

 tined to drive only one description of vehicle and one 

 description of horse, it would be sufficient for his 

 purpose that he drives that vehicle well and safely. 

 The private servant who drives a Brougham, or a 

 Clarence, or any description of one-horse carriage, 

 may do very well for this, and doubtless flatters him- 

 self he could do very well for any other description 

 of coachmanship: he would, however, find himself, 

 or at all events others would find him, wofully de- 

 ceived if put to the test. The different description of 

 knowledge and practice required in driving different 

 descriptions of carriages, different descriptions of 

 horses, and those in different descriptions of situation, 

 is much more varied than people are apt to imagine. 

 The finished coachman can certainly drive any thing, 



