In order to learn to drive four horses as they should be driven, it is necessary to begin by studying the rules and general principles of this most fascinating amusement. To the lovers of this pastime nothing is more enjoyable than sitting behind a perfect and well-appointed team skilfully driven. "Constant practice necessary." It is most essential for one who would become a thoroughly efficient whip to have several years of constant practice, and even when this has been obtained, it will be found that there is still always something to learn.

"Practice with weights." For driving, like so many other accomplishments, requires to be kept up, or else the hand and eye will very soon be found to have lost their cunning, and not only does one become slow and clumsy with the whip and reins, but the arms and fingers soon tire. In order to keep the hand in, when not driving regularly, an arrangement of weights and pulleys is a very convenient toy. It requires a weight of about twenty pounds (a cylinder of lead is very handy), to which is attached a strong cord. This passes over pulley P (fig. 15), fixed for convenience to the mantelpiece or other projection from the wall, down to pulley P¹, on the floor, and then ends in a loop, into which four straps can be fastened like reins. Then sitting in a comfortable chair, the hands holding the straps like reins, the weight can be kept working up and down (four or five inches will be found quite sufficient) for ten minutes or so. Another method, which is rather more complicated, but more useful for the beginner, is shown in fig. 16. This, while strengthening his arms and fingers, enables him to acquire the art of looping and shortening the reins, and in fact to practise all the tricks of "Arrangement of pulleys and weights." the trade. For this practice eight pulleys are required; four are fixed on the wall, about three or four feet from the ground and from three to six inches apart; the other four are placed directly under these, and fixed to the floor close up against the wall. A strong cord is passed under each lower pulley first, then over the pulley directly above, the ends being fastened to weights of four or five pounds. To the other ends of the cords are attached leather straps similar to ordinary reins. Thus you have four reins, the two inner ones representing the wheelers, the two outer ones the leaders.

"Weight on hands when driving four horses." It has been found by trial that the approximate weight on the hands when driving a light team is about five pounds, but the average weight may be taken as about ten or twelve pounds, which will be much increased with a team of pullers; while going down a steep hill the pressure will not infrequently exceed thirty-five pounds. These pressures, which I ascertained after many experiments, will show the novice how all-important it is that he should be really fit, and the muscles of his arms and fingers well developed, before he can hope to be really master of a team of horses.

It is always advisable, while practising with weights, to hold a whip, or stick to represent a whip, in the right hand, as by so doing you will very soon get into the way of using this hand correctly on the reins (fig. 15).

"Muscle of thumb necessary for holding whip." It is very important for the young driver to develop the muscle of the thumb; otherwise it will be found extremely tiring to hold the whip properly for any considerable time, more especially against a high wind.

Messrs. Whippy and Steggall have shown me a very neat arrangement of weights and pulleys which can be easily fitted up in any room, and is well worth inspection.

"Position of body on driving seat." When driving, the body should be kept upright and square to the front, but all stiffness should be avoided. The driving seat should be low, and about three or four inches higher at the back than in front, so that the driver can sit down in a really comfortable position. "Position of legs." The ankles and knees should be just touching each other, and the arms close to the sides, the point of the elbows touching the hip bone. "Position of arms." The forearm should be about horizontal, and the left hand from three to four inches from the centre of the body, the back of the hand being turned towards the front and nearly vertical, but inclined a little towards the horses. "Position of left wrist." The wrist must be bent slightly towards the body, and on no account allowed to bend the other way. This is far the best position for feeling the horses’ mouths, as the wrist then acts like a spring, and a perfectly even pressure can be maintained. "Leaning forward bad." Sit well back, and do not lean forward over the reins in the attitude of a dairymaid on a milking-stool. "Driver should sit well down." The driver should on no account be half standing, or merely leaning against the seat, with unbent knees, as, in the event of a wheeler falling or shying up a bank, he will inevitably be jerked off the coach.