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24

DRIVING FOR PLEASURE.

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occur through the medium of stupid grooms and carelessly given orders are beyond conception.

Every one who runs a public coach takes a pride in making it come as nearly as possible to paying expenses ; to do which requires a systematic, businesslike management.

It is well to have the horses stationed a few days before the regular work is to begin, for by driving over the road a few times with a break the employees can be familiarized with their duties and the time table given somewhat of a test.

We will assume the coach to be preparing for its first trip ; the best-looking team of the six horses at the home end of the route is put on. The head groom generally takes the coach from the stable to its starting place (although one of its coachmen or the guard may do so). He wears a black melton cutaway coat with breeches of tweed, Bedford, or whipcord and gaiters, white stock or collar and white scarf, and black felt top hat. The guard stands in his place on the coach with his horn ready for use, and the two stablemen hurry along (if the distance is great they stand on the steps of the coach) to receive the horses as they pull up. Each of these men carries the loin cloths for a wheeler and a leader thrown over his shoulder. As the coach pulls up, some ten minutes before it is due to start, the guard jumps down and