postilion

noun

1. A rider mounted on the near (left) leading horse who guides the team pulling a carriage.

   “C’est un garcon de bonne fortune, said the landlord, pointing through the window to half a dozen wenches who had got round about La Fleur, and were most kindly taking their leave of him, as the postilion was leading out the horses.”

   “The postilion seized one of his fat horses by the tail, and swung himself up to his seat again.”

   “And now the carriage had fairly left the village; yet the postilions slackened their speed, and drew up gradually before a line of almshouses, […]”

   “The rain drove into the bride and bridegroom's faces as they passed to the chariot. The postilions' favours draggled on their dripping jackets.”

   “To play the postilion is not an easy thing. It is a trade by itself—half a gunner's and half a groom's. It has to do with horses—that is bad enough ; but also it involves some knowledge of the road.”

2. (obsolete)A post-boy, a messenger boy, a swift letter carrier.