Crossword-Solution: RELIABLENESS 12 letters, 1 clue 🏆 scrabble score: 14

Equipped with low-backed saddles, they stand, their noses down, their eyes contemplatively closed, their whole appearance impressing one with an air of practical talent and reliableness.

Carriages they were with armorial bearings, family coaches in which came Englishmen in their black coats and white neckcloths, elderly, white-headed, fresh-colored, squat; not beautiful, certainly, nor particularly dignified, nor very well dressed, nor with much of an imposing air, but yet, somehow or other, producing an effect of force, respectability, reliableness, trust, which is probably deserved, since it is invariably experienced.

Delitzsch and others would translate, 'Almost every man meets a man who is gracious to him.' The contrast will then be between partial 'grace' or kindness, and thoroughgoing reliableness or trustworthiness.

Wilding, who has since succeeded to the Vice-Consulship, was a man of English integrity,--not that the English are more honest than ourselves, but only there is a certain sturdy reliableness common among them, which we do not quite so invariably manifest in just these subordinate positions,--of English integrity, combined with American acuteness of intellect, quick-wittedness, and diversity of talent.

Surely that strange inversion of the apparent importance of the two things speaks for the historical reliableness of the narrative.