COACHING.   27

It is generally revise for the coachman to get down and superintend the putting to, bitting, etc, of his team, as well as to look his coach over. On a fast coach with an experienced guard, or with a jibbing team, he may remain on the box, catching the reins on his whip held vertically. He is then ready to let his team go as soon as it is put to. In the latter case he has to trust to the guard to look the coach over, etc., which is not quite consistent with firstrate coachmanship. At no time should the coachman start unless the customary warning to the passengers has been given. When sufficient assistants can be procured at a change, it is most satisfactory to have the near wheeler standing on the near side of the road (as in Plate XIII) as the coach comes up, the off wheeler on the off side abreast of him, and the leaders coupled together and standing just in front of the off wheeler. Then by pulling the coach up so that the splinter bar is about on a line with the fresh wheeler's head, the quickest kind of a change can be made.

Arriving at the end of the route, provision must be made for the necessary grooms, in case they are not carried in the coach. The guard is occupied in unloading the coach, so can not give his attention at once to the horses, which should be immediately taken out and cared for.

J