238 CONFESSIONS UE A 1JOESS DKALEII. 



as if being unable to make up her mind whether to re- 

 tire or advance ; gouty old gents, and fastidious old 

 maids, in the same predicament, come to a dead halt just 

 under the horses' heads ; beggars, and a description of 

 people who would as soon be run over as not, if they 

 were certain of compensation for any injuries they incur 

 the risk of receiving. 



But although surrounded by these difficulties, in the 

 way of his free progression, the steady artistic 'bus driver 

 continues to steer comparatively clear of misfortunes, 

 because he always keeps his horses collected in hand, his 

 eyes are always intent upon his business, and the objects 

 in front of his vehicle. It is true that accidents do 

 sometimes unavoidably occur, but they are rarely caused 

 by circumstances over which the omnibus driver has any 

 control. 



Still, these men labour under greater disadvantages, 

 in respect to the cattle they drive, than the average of 

 street drivers, or gentlemen's coachmen ; for the latter 

 have, generally, a more intimate knowledge of their 

 horses' tempers and mouths, before they are required to 

 drive them in crowded streets ; but the 'bus driver is 

 often required to take a horse in hand which the pro- 

 prietors have just purchased from a gentleman, whose 

 coachman could not manage him in the carriage, but the 

 'bus driver has to pilot him by the side of another, with 

 none the best of tempers, and surrounded by nervous, 

 fidgetty passengers, having to conduct the lot through 

 dangerous thoroughfares, as above described, safely to 



