These must be regulated by the ground. A good driver avoids all quick
and sharp turnings. In town, it is much better to drive on a little
further, where another street may allow the ample room requisite in
turning. If a carriage do not pass quite across a channel without
turning, the perch must be twisted according to the descent, because
one wheel falls as that at the opposite angle rises. By such a wrench,
especially when going fast, the main or perch bolt is frequently
broken, and every part strained.
A loaded coach should never be turned short, even at a slow pace,
for the coach is never safe when there is not an even bearing on the
transom beds. If turned short, at a quick pace, the higher and looser
part of a coach must go over, because all bodies put in motion by one
power will proceed in a straight line, unless compelled to change their
course by some force impressed. Hence a horse at full speed is with
difficulty turned to right or left; and, if he turn suddenly, and of
his own accord, he puts his rider’s horsemanship to the test. So with
a coach, a sudden turn to one side the road allows the body to swag
towards the other, and the centre of gravity is lost.
In a turn, a coachman must point his leaders well, that is, take proper
ground for them to make the turn, and let his wheelers follow them.
Moreover, as wheel-horses are always in haste to make the turn, the
driver must shoot them out on the opposite side, just as he has pointed
his leaders. Thus, if the turn be to the right, he must catch up his
near wheel rein, and hit his off wheel-horse; and _vice versâ_. This
will keep the head of the pole (which he should have his eye upon) just
between the leaders, and the wheelers will follow, as if they were
running on a straight road. This will also secure him against danger,
by clearing his coach of posts, gutters, &c. No man can make a neat
turn with four horses, unless he shoot his wheelers, at the same time
that he points his leaders. In turning, the wheelers must rather be
kept up, and the leaders be tight in hand, to avoid the corner; for, if
the wheelers flag, and the leaders draw, the carriage must be brought
against it.