236 THE COACHING ERA 



handkerchief about his neck, knowingly knotted and 

 tucked in at the bosom; and has in summer time a large 

 bouquet of flowers in his buttonhole; the present, most 

 probably, of some enamoured country lass. His waist- 

 coat is commonly of some bright colour, striped, and 

 his smallclothes extend far below the knees, to meet 

 a pair of jockey-boots which reach about half-way up his 



legs. 



"All this costume is maintained with much precision; 

 he has a pride in having his clothes of excellent materials; 

 and, notwithstanding the seeming grossness of his 

 appearance, there is still discernible that neatness and 

 propriety of person which is almost inherent in an 

 Englishman. He enjoys great consequence and con- 

 sideration along the road; has frequent conferences 

 with the village housewives, who look upon him as a 

 man of great trust and dependence; and he seems to 

 have a good understanding with every bright-eyed 

 country lass. The moment he arrives where the horses 

 are to be changed, he throws down the reins with some- 

 thing of an air, and abandons the cattle to the care of the 

 ostler; his duty being merely to drive from one stage 

 to another. When off the box, his hands are thrust 

 into the pockets of his greatcoat, and he rolls about the 

 inn yard with an air of the most absolute lordliness. 

 Here he is generally surrounded by an admiring throng 

 of ostlers, stable-boys, shoeblacks, and those nameless 

 hangers-on that infest inns and taverns, and run errands, 

 and do all kinds of odd jobs, for the privilege of batten- 

 ing on the drippings of the kitchen and the leakage of 

 the taproom. These all look up to him as to an oracle; 

 treasure up his cant phrases; echo his opinions about 

 horses and other topics of jockey lore; and above all, 

 endeavour to imitate his air and carriage. Every raga- 

 muffin that has a coat to his back thrusts his hands in 



