408 STABLE SERVANTS. 



blue livery coat. Trousers in this case will look much better 

 than breeches and gaiters, which is a combination that has 

 been handed down from early Christian times. I may point 

 out that a "gaiter" is a combination of a legging and a 

 spat. In winter, even fashionable coachmen often wear 

 trousers and boots of nondescript pattern, so as to save their 

 breeches and top-boots ; for as they have not to get off the 

 box until they are within their own yard, the lower part 

 of their body will remain hidden by the apron from public 

 view. As a carriage groom will have to be ready to dis- 

 mount at any time when out driving, he cannot safely 

 follow the example of the coachman in this respect. 



The servants in stables of good class are usually allowed 

 a suit of stable clothes every six months, after which time 

 they are generally considered to belong to the servant. It 

 is, however, more satisfactory to both parties for an arrange- 

 ment as to the possession of used clothes, both stable and 

 livery, to be definitely fixed before engagement. A suit of 

 stable clothes consists of a coat, waistcoat and breeches of 

 strong tweed and leggings of box-cloth ; or coat, waistcoat and 

 trousers, according to the requirements of the particular 

 servant. Some masters allow a pair of lace-up boots (prefer- 

 ably without hooks) along with the half-yearly suit of stable 

 clothes. A good portion of the expense of this concession 

 comes back to the giver by the fact that with a liberal supply 

 of ordinary boot-leather, the servant will not be inclined, as 

 he might otherwise be, to wear his top-boots under his 

 trousers. 



The length of time which livery is supposed to last will 

 depend on the degree of smartness demanded by the master. 

 If the family goes up to town every year, a new suit of livery 

 all round will probably be required at the beginning of each 

 season. A second horseman will certainly need two pairs of 

 white breeches to start with. The same allowance might be 



