ng round a corner; as long as they get round safely, they think it
quite sufficient; they take hold of both reins and haul away; the
consequence is, they get the fore part of the carriage and the wheel
horses round before the leaders are square. This, I think, looks very
bad, for it is a really pretty sight, to see four horses coming round
straight, and thus showing that they are under perfect control. Always
steady your carriage before attempting to turn, in case you should
chance to meet anything coming in the opposite direction. Besides, there
is no object in going fast round a corner. Even if pressed for time,
always use precaution, for in driving, as in other phases of life, you
will find it much easier to keep out, than to get out, of grief!

RULE V.

DESCENDING A HILL.

In going down a hill, steady and feel the weight of the carriage you
have behind you; go off the top as quietly as you can, for you will
discover before you get half way down, if it is at all a steep hill, the
impetus will be so much increased, that you will have quite enough to
do, to keep your coach steady and your horses under control. The patent
drag is a great boon, which we had not in the old coaching days. I have
many times gone off the top of a hill, and, before I got half way down,
wished that I had put on the shoe; but another coach coming behind, with
perhaps a lighter load than I had, they would have passed me while I was
putting on the drag; this was the reason we sometimes neglected it, but
you can always go faster down hill, with the drag, than without it.

RULE VI.

POSITION OF THE HANDS.

Keep your left hand up, within about ten or twelve inches of your chest,
with your arm and wrist a little bent; you will then have your reins in
such a position, that your right hand will be able to assist the other,
without throwing your body forward to reach them. Many, instead of
putting their right hand just in front of the left, and drawing the
reins back towards them, put the right hand at least a foot before the
other, and push the reins, consequently they lose nearly all power over
the horses, and draw the reins away from the left hand. Besides being
unskilful, this has a very ugly appearance.

RULE VII.

UNIFORMITY OF DRAUGHT.

To drive slowly, is much more gentlemanlike, and, at the same time, more
difficult than going fast. Keep your horses well together; to do this
properly, you must know how to arrange their coupling