An Old Coachman's Chatter, with Some Practical Remarks on Driving

A veteran coachman offers a blend of memoir and hands-on instruction about driving stage and mail coaches, describing harness, horse selection, braking and horn use, and techniques for emergencies. Practical chapters address weather, road conditions, common accidents and mechanical failures, with diagrams to illustrate maneuvers and meetings. The text recounts routes and schedules, the roles of guards and coachmen, tandem and team handling, and the daily routines and monotony of life on the road. Personal anecdotes and character sketches punctuate technical advice and reflect on the changing world of carriage travel.