312 THE COACHING AGE. 



' By this attention, too, the horse goes with more 

 ease to himself, and is less likely to gall and chafe, 

 which will frequently make the best-tempered animal 

 fretful and fractious in harness. 



' The consequence and the necessity of paying a 

 strict attention to and acquiring a perfect knowledge 

 of these early rudiments of our art, I once experienced 

 myself. 



' Beginning at the Golden Cross, passing through the 

 City, and making my exit by Shoreditch Church from 

 the metropolis, I had plenty of stonework. One 

 morning a fresh' horse was put to my coach, one that 

 had only been purchased the day before, and, what 

 was contrary to all adopted custom, harnessed as near 

 leader. It was of no use to expostulate, so after 

 looking round I got up. Starting and proceeding 

 along the Strand and Fleet Street he went pretty 

 straight, except that he carried his body rather away 

 from his partner, as young horses in a strange or new 

 position are apt to do ; but a slight communication 

 from under his bar soon put that to rights. After 

 stopping at the corner of Wood Street we proceeded 

 along Chea"pside by the Bank to the commencement 

 of Threadneedle Street, where he made a bolt to go 

 down Broad Street. I had my hand upon his rein in 

 an instant, and prevented his taking the wrong road ; 

 but there being a post in the shape of a gun with the 



