watchcoat

"A watchcoat, a piece of pipe-clay, and a button-brush," compose rather a scanty kit: yet those three articles formed -- with the exception of the clothes he stood in -- the entire wardrobe and means of personal adornment of the Rooney above-named; and many of his comrades were scarce better provided.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847 Various

Then he donned Mr. Schultz's heavy watchcoat, dragged round from the lee of the house the upholstered easy-chair

Cappy Ricks Retires 1918

It would seem that the soldiers were no better off; and the sergeant who had White in charge lent him an old watchcoat -- "he also gave me a dram from his canteen."

The Experience of An American Soldier in the War of 1812-14 1913

The latter sprang lightly to the shore, his large blue watchcoat and high boots alone visible.

The Loyalist A Story of the American Revolution James Francis Barrett 1911

The symbolization of Dr. Topham's snug “patent place,” which he wished to make hereditary, under the image of the good warm watchcoat, is of course plain enough; and there is some humour in the way in which the parson (the Archbishop) discovers that his incautious assent to Trim's request had been given ultra vires.

Sterne Traill, H D 1882

Interests are once _divested_, these innumerable stript-off Garments shall mostly be burnt; but the sounder Rags among them be quilted together into one huge Irish watchcoat for the defence of the Body only! '

Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History Thomas Carlyle 1838

Among the warriors thus decorated was a son of Queen Aliquippa, the savage princess whose good graces Washington had secured in the preceding year, by the present of an old watchcoat, and whose friendship was important, her town being at no great distance from the French fort.

Life of George Washington — Volume 01 Washington Irving 1821

To forfend the possibility of such dubious appreciation, the account of the watchcoat episode is copied word for word from Bode’s introduction to the “Empfindsame Reise.” [

Laurence Sterne in Germany A Contribution to the Study of the Literary Relations of England and Germany in the Eighteenth Century

History of a Watchcoat with Explanatory Notes,” containing twelve letters (one by Dr. Eustace) and the watchcoat story.

Laurence Sterne in Germany A Contribution to the Study of the Literary Relations of England and Germany in the Eighteenth Century

He says he knows by sure experience that Sterne’s writings find readers in Germany; he is assured of the authenticity of the letters, but is in doubt whether the reader is possessed of sufficient knowledge of the attending circumstances to render intelligible the allusion of the watchcoat story.

Laurence Sterne in Germany A Contribution to the Study of the Literary Relations of England and Germany in the Eighteenth Century