E I.

SELECTION OF THE TEAM.

The first thing the pupil should do, is to select four horses as nearly
as possible of the same temper. Never keep a puller, for it takes your
attention from things that require all your care, makes your arm ache,
in fact, does away with all pleasure. I should recommend hiring or
purchasing four horses that will give you no trouble, and when you can
pull them about, and do nearly as you please with them, you can then get
your permanent team, which will require a very judicious selection,
particularly if you intend to pride yourself upon colour as well as
action. I was told by a gentleman, that he was ten years, getting a
perfect team of black browns; he did not confine himself to price, and
he certainly now has a very nice team--and they ought indeed to be
perfect, after all the time, labour and expense that have been bestowed
upon them.

RULE II.

MOUNTING THE BOX.

Put the forefinger of your right hand through the leading reins, and the
third finger between the wheel reins, feel your wheel horses' mouths
lightly, take your near side reins a little shorter than your off, so
that in case your horses attempt to start before you are properly
seated, you have the reins all of the same length, and, being properly
separated, you can put them into your left hand as quickly as possible,
and at once have your horses under control; this will, if attended to,
always prevent accidents. Some gentlemen get on the box and have the
reins handed to them by a groom, who does not know how to separate them;
this is not only an unbusiness-like, but a dangerous practice.

RULE III.

THE SEAT.

Place yourself well on the box, sit upright, but easily, with your knees
a little bent. Some gentlemen almost stand, with a thick cushion
reaching above the rail of the box, and their toes several inches over
the foot-board. This is not only unsightly, but attended with risk, for
if you came in contact with the curbstone, or any trifling obstruction,
you might very readily, and most likely would, be thrown from your seat.
The rail of the box, ought always to be a few inches above the cushion.

RULE IV.

TURNING.

In going round a corner, "point" your leader--that is, take hold of your
leading rein, and get your leaders well round; then take hold of your
wheel rein as well, all four horses will come round as evenly as though
they were on a straight road. Most persons are careless about the mode
of goi