DRIVING.   83

hub off the wheel, he descends to mother earth holding the reins and whip high enough to prevent their annoying the wheelers. He now assumes the position first described in taking up the reins, and shifts his reins from his right to his left hand, lays his whip over the wheelers' backs, and draws the bight of the reins through the loop of the tug, when his labours are at an end.

It is necessary for a true coachman to know the component parts of his harness thoroughly, be it single or pair-horse, tandem or four-horse.

The best way to become familiar with the different parts is to have the harness placed in a heap, every strap unbuckled, then to put it together unassisted. This will probably take some considerable time, but observation will show reasons for the existence of certain parts which seem useless.

If any part of the harness seems unduly chafed as compared with the rest, it is probably due to bad fitting. The ability to remedy such a defect will afford some satisfaction.