His waistcoat is commonly of some
bright color, striped, and his small clothes 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 consideration 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 something of an air, and abandons the cattle to the
care of the hostler; his duty being merely to drive from one stage
to another. When off the box, his hands are thrust into the pockets of
his great coat, 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 hostlers, stable-boys, shoeblacks, and those
nameless hangers-on, that infest inns and taverns, and run errands,
and do all kind of odd jobs, for the privilege of battening on the
drippings of the kitchen and the leakage of the tap-room.
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