On the sobriety, steady conduct, and respectable appearance of this
important servant, depend the exterior appearance of the family with
which he resides. Every genuine Coachman has his characteristic
costume. His flaxen curls or wig, his low cocked hat, his plush
breeches, and his benjamin surtout, his clothes being also well
brushed, and the lace and buttons in a state of high polish. Care in
driving his horses so as to preserve his own family and not injure
other passengers on horse or foot, that he may not involve his master
in law-suits, and wound the feelings of those he is driving, is of the
utmost consequence. It is his business to have the carriage kept in
repair, and to prevent his master being imposed upon by wanton charges;
and in like manner to advise and assist in the purchase of horses, and
in this delicate business, protect the interest of his employer. Much
depends on his zeal, as to the annual expenditure of a carriage, with
reference to the coach-maker, the horse-dealer, and the farrier; and
he will do well always to make special contract, and leave as little
as possible to the conscience of others. When only one coachman is
kept, his duties generally include the whole of the stable business,
as well as the cleaning, greasing, and examining the carriage; about
which latter, he should never trust to chance; and consult the smith
or coach-maker as often as he apprehends a possibility of danger. The
following instructions apply to the coachman’s duty when assisted by
an establishment, but they apply to the coachman alone when there is
no stable establishment, and whether the horses are jobbed or not, his
anxious attention to their welfare is equally required.
If not fatigued by late hours on the preceding night, he rises to
take care of his horses, at the same hour as the other men on the
establishment, and they are attended in the same manner, by himself and
his assistants, as is hereafter described, under the head _Groom_.
The necessary morning business of the stable usually occupies the
servants till breakfast time, after which they all return to the
stable, shake down the litter on each side of the horses, and put the
stable in good order, in expectation of their master, who probably,
pays them a visit after breakfast to inspect the horses, give orders,
or make enquiries.
The helpers and assistants are now busily employed in looking over and
cleaning such of the harness as was last used, and remains uncleaned.
This, having been washed from the wet dirt, and clean sponged
over-night, after the arrival of the carriage, and being now dry, is
first brushed with a dry hard brush, and the brass ornaments cleaned,
for which purpose see the receipts; or the silver ornaments may be
cleaned with finely-powdered charcoal, and polished off with a soft
brush.
The ornaments being cleaned, the leathers are to be blacked with the
liquid mixture, which is a very valuable and excellent receipt for
that purpose; the brushes to be used are, 1, a hard brush for taking
off the dirt; 2, a soft brush for laying on the mixture; and 3, a
polishing brush.
After breakfast, the coachmen, with their assistants, or each, if
more than one, proceed to clean their respective coaches; first, well
washing the carriage part and wheels with a mop and a water brush. The
back straps and straps of the springs are to be blacked, and in short,
all the parts, that are of leather, are to be blacked in the same way
as the harness, the brass or other ornaments being first cleaned. The
wheels and bed of the carriage are next to be greased or oiled, and the
linch-pins securely put in.
The inside of the coach is then to be brushed, the glasses cleaned, and
the lamps cleaned and trimmed.
The carriage, horses, harness, and the whole equipage being now ready,
the coachman attends his master or mistress for _orders_, if not
previously received.
When the time is nearly arrived at which the coach is ordered, the
helper or assistants harness the horses and _put them to_, while the
coachman is dressing himself. He then narrowly inspects the whole
equipage—sees that the coach, horses, harness, and all things are in
order; when taking his whip and the reins in his left hand, a man
standing at the heads of the horses, he mounts the box, on the _near
side_, and drives off to the door.
In due time, the coach and other carriages, as well as the saddle
horses, return, when the coachman alights, unbuckles the reins, and
giving the horses into the care of the helpers, takes his whip with
him into the stable, and deposits it in its proper place. He then, if
there be time and day-light, washes and cleans his coach.
At eight o’clock, if not otherwise engaged, he attends the regular
stable duties, and waters, feeds, rubs down, litters, and racks up his
horses, in the usual manner.
The wages of the head or upper coachman, is from 25 to 36 guineas per
annum, with generally two suits of livery—a box coat once in two or
three years, two hats, and two pair of boots; also one or two stable
dresses, consisting of overalls, jackets, waistcoats, and undress frock
coat.