The Sport of Our (Ancestors 



cannot do, because they have not been called upon to do 

 it ; and he likewise could do what they never try to do — 

 namely, he could drive when he was drunk nearly as well 

 as when he was sober. He was very frequently a faithful 

 servant to his employers ; considered trustworthy by bankers 

 and others in the country through which he passed ; 

 and as humane to his horses, perhaps, as the adverse circum- 

 stances he was placed in by his masters would admit. 



It has been suggested to road surveyors, that, if they 

 would leave a narrow slip of loose gravel on the near side 

 of severe hills, or those of only moderate declivity where 

 the fall is a long one, and the road hard, it would save in- 

 numerable accidents in the course of the year, as the moment 

 a coachman found his coach was getting the better of the 

 horses — or should any part of his tackle give way — he could 

 run her into the gravel, and her velocity would be almost 

 instantly checked. If placed on the near or left-hand side 

 of the road, it would not inconvenience carriages ascending 

 the hills ; and the attention of a labourer, about every third 

 day, to keep the gravel in its place, would obviate every 

 difficulty. Likewise, it is desirable that roads should be 

 raised a little to meet a coach, as it were, in the turns, 

 especially such as are at the bottom of a hill. For example^ 

 if the turn is to the right, the left side of the road should be 

 the higher, so as to give support to a coach in preserving 

 her centre of gravity. Be it remembered, that if the body 

 of a coach could be made to lock with the carriage^ she would 

 go round a corner at full speed without danger ; but as 

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