A GALLOWAY FOR THE MILLION. 85 



anecdote, was this : the harness which the auctioneer 

 guaranteed as complete really was so, and sported a 

 pair of breechings about five inches in width. These 

 of course, as in all double harness, went into the trace 

 buckles, and with a pole and pole pieces were quite 

 adequate to the purposes of breeching : but when used 

 in a phaeton or gig, acted about in the same way to 

 their destined purpose as the strap of a trowser would, 

 f placed behind the leg instead of under the foot. 

 But there was a breeching on the galloway ; so, of 

 course, my acquaintance drove down every hill with 

 perfect confidence. He had as yet met no accident. 

 The truth was, this galloway, which was half blind 

 and broken-winded, by the aid of the dash-board as 

 well as the tugs, stopped the phaeton going down 

 hill. Now, had another horse been put in, what 

 would have been the consequence ? why, a kicking 

 match, in which I will back the nag to have the best 

 of it. In a light gig, or in the generality of phaetons, 

 there is danger enough even when properly appointed ; 

 but when otherwise, unless the animal that draws it 

 is as quiet as a sheep, the danger is really imminent. 

 When I speak of a coachman, I beg it to be under- 

 stood I do not mean always a stage- coachman or a 

 gentleman's coachman, but use it as we do the word 

 sailor as applied to any one who contributes to or 

 undertakes the management of a vessel, whether sea- 

 boy or admiral. I know little, indeed nothing, about 

 these matters ; but I imagine a sailor would be con- 

 sidered as having little pretension to that character if 

 he could only steer a vessel in a calm sea with every 

 sail properly set. I apprehend he would be expected 

 to know every rope in his ship, their different uses, 

 be able to detect anything that was wrong, and be 



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