按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
THE SKETCH BOOK
THE STAGE COACH
by Washington Irving
Omne bene
Sine poena
Tempus est ludendi。
Venit hora
Absque mora
Libros deponendi。
OLD HOLIDAY SCHOOL SONG。
IN THE preceding paper I have made some general observations on
the Christmas festivities of England； and am tempted to illustrate
them by some anecdotes of a Christmas passed in the country； in
perusing which I would most courteously invite my reader to lay
aside the austerity of wisdom； and to put on that genuine holiday
spirit which is tolerant of folly； and anxious only for amusement。
In the course of a December tour in Yorkshire； I rode for a long
distance in one of the public coaches； on the day preceding Christmas。
The coach was crowded； both inside and out； with passengers； who； by
their talk； seemed principally bound to the mansions of relations or
friends； to eat the Christmas dinner。 It was loaded also with
hampers of game； and baskets and boxes of delicacies； and hares hung
dangling their long ears about the coachman's box； presents from
distant friends for the impending feast。 I had three fine rosy…cheeked
boys for my fellow…passengers inside； full of the buxom health and
manly spirit which I have observed in the children of this country。
They were returning home for the holidays in high glee； and
promising themselves a world of enjoyment。 It was delightful to hear
the gigantic plans of the little rogues； and the impracticable feats
they were to perform during their six weeks' emancipation from the
abhorred thraldom of book； birch； and pedagogue。 They were full of
anticipations of the meeting with the family and household； down to
the very cat and dog； and of the joy they were to give their little
sisters by the presents with which their pockets were crammed； but the
meeting to which they seemed to look forward with the greatest
impatience was with Bantam； which I found to be a pony； and； according
to their talk； possessed of more virtues than any steed since the days
of Bucephalus。 How he could trot！ how he could run！ and then such
leaps as he would take… there was not a hedge in the whole country
that he could not clear。
They were under the particular guardianship of the coachman； to
whom； whenever an opportunity presented； they addressed a host of
questions； and pronounced him one of the best fellows in the world。
Indeed； I could not but notice the more than ordinary air of bustle
and importance of the coachman； who wore his hat a little on one side；
and had a large bunch of Christmas greens stuck in the buttonhole of
his coat。 He is always a personage full of mighty care and business；
but he is particularly so during this season； having so many
commissions to execute in consequence of the great interchange of
presents。 And here； perhaps； it may not be unacceptable to my
untravelled readers； to have a sketch that may serve as a general
representation of this very numerous and important class of
functionaries； who have a dress； a manner； a language； an air；
peculiar to themselves； and prevalent throughout the fraternity； so
that； wherever an English stage coachman may be seen； he cannot be
mistaken for one of any other craft or mystery。
He has commonly a broad； full face； curiously mottled with red； as
if the blood had been forced by hard feeding into every vessel of
the skin； he is swelled into jolly dimensions by frequent potations of
malt liquors； and his bulk is still further increased by a
multiplicity of coats； in which he is buried like a cauliflower； the
upper one reaching to his heels。 He wears a broad…brimmed； low…crowned
hat； a huge roll of colored handkerchief about his neck； knowingly
knotted and tucked in at the bosom； and has in summer time a large
bouquet of flowers in his button…hole； the present； most probably；
of some enamored country lass。 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。 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；
endeavor to imitate his air and carriage。 Every ragamuffin that has
a coat to his back； thrusts his hands in the pockets； rolls in his
gait； talks slang； and is an embryo Coachey。
Perhaps it might be owing to the pleasing serenity that reigned in
my own mind； that I fancied I saw cheerfulness in every countenance
throughout the journey。 A stage coach； however； carries animation
always with it； and puts the world in motion as it whirls along。 The
horn； sounded at the entrance of a village； produces a general bustle。
Some hasten forth to meet friends； some with bundles and band…boxes to
secure places； and in the hurry of the moment can hardly take leave of
the group that accompanies them。 In the meantime； the coachman has a
world of small commissions to execute。 Sometimes he delivers a hare or
pheasant； sometimes jerks a small parcel or newspaper to the door of a
public house； and sometimes； with knowing leer and words of sly
import； hands to some half…blushing； half…laughing housemaid an
odd…shaped billet…doux from some rustic admirer。 As the coach
rattles through the village； every one runs to the window； and you
have glances on every side of fresh country faces and blooming
giggling girls。 At the corners are assembled juntos of village
idlers and wise men； who take their stations there for the important
purpose of seeing company pass； but the sagest knot is generally at
the blacksmith's； to whom the passing of the coach