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In the 1600s and 1700s a "jarvey" was the driver of a hackney coach. In England the word was replaced by "cabbie" following the introduction of cabriolets (cabs) in 1823. But in Ireland jarvey survived as the driver of the two-wheeled "jaunting car". The origin of jarvey is unknown.
Source:
At the Punchestown Races: Duchess of Devonshire; Earl Dudley, Viceroy of Ireland; Jack Leonard, a famous jarvey. Photo by Lafayette.
Outing magazine, vol. XLV, December, 1904, p. 294.
Vance Thompson's Cab Drivers / 23
How Pat Travels / 2
"How Pat Travels by Vance Thompson It had rained for two days and two nights as only in Ireland and Scotland it can rain. We had driven out to Kiliney Hill (Barney O'Hea and myself), and the good little mare was bringing us home through mud and squall. At the old town of Dalkey we pulled up and put the mare under cover. 'Twas at Mrs. M'Gildowney's inn. "Y'ere drivin' Lawler's little mare, Ba-arney?" she asked. "I am, Mrs. M'Gildowney," said Barney O'Hea, "ye may say that." "'Tis wet the night is, an' your poor gentleman looks wake wid the wather that's bin on him," she said. "'Twas a timperance dhrink we had in mind, Mrs. M'Gildowney," said Barney, squeezing the water out of his hat. "Deed, thin, I'll mix him a timperance dhrink," the good dame made answer; and, for a "temperance drink," a very good drink it was, too. Lest it be lost like Brillat-Savarin's famous recipe for devilled turkey-rump, let it be set down here: To an egg beaten up in a quarter of a pint of whiskey add a quarter of a pint of boiling milk; then drink. After a day on the flats or a night in the rain it is like a dram of life. With gaysome hearts we made on for Dublin. "But why call it a temperance drink, Barney?" "Sure," said he, "because it's a stab in a dark." That is the great advantage of an Irish car; you can "collogue" with your driver. He on one side, you on the other, lean elbow to elbow. Conversation is easy, almost necessary. I learned a great deal for Barney. "You've not heard of the little mare? No – sure I cud jump her over thim tram-cars, bad win to thim annyway. 'Tis Lawler's little mare. He was in Ameriky wance. He was. He kapes the place in King's Inn Street. But he's a ha-ard man to see, for if he's not at the races, he's aslape an' the wife kapin' watch on him. Deed, the wife is right, for him an' money is bad frin's. Faith, he can't hould it wid both han's, after he's the better of a glass; he cannot. 'Tis great luck for thim as is wid him, but ha-ard an Lawler. Isn't it enough to make wan disgusted wid human nature, an' almost a Pagan, to see the robbin' tindencies av people? Well, the little mare, here, under the ca-ar, is Lawler's mare. Few min have such wonderful cliverness. Day or night if ye dhrive her by Saint Pathrick's Cathedral down she goes on her knees. What do ye think of that?" I thought it admirable good taste, whether she knelt to the stately church – or to the memory of Dean Swift.
Outing, vol. XLV, no. 3 (December, 1904) pp. 294-302.
Photos by Lafayette