Coleman's instrument case. 67 



between the fore-fiuger and thumb, rub it well 

 into the silk ; or you may wear a pair of kid 

 gloves for the purpose. I also afterwards take a 

 morsel of the dry wax, the size of a pea, and rub 

 that over, which gives additional tenacity. It is 

 by far the best plan of waxing that I know of. 



Before I show you the use of the bit of stick in 

 waxing, let me direct your attention to the tools 

 so useful for that and very many other purposes. 

 Give me that folded leather case, fitted up by 

 Coleman of the Haymarket, one of which I advise 

 you to purchase when you go to London ; as you 

 will perceive, that it contains various implements of 

 immense use to us who have " a finger" in making 

 our tackle. Hand-vices to hold hooks in fly- 

 dressing, or hook-tyeing, more properly called, 

 anti-finger crampers ; forceps, for hackling on 

 feathers ; needles, for all fishing uses ; fine scis- 

 sors ; looping hooks, and table screw to fix them 

 to ; files, for re-pointing blunted hooks ; and a 

 brush, for ordering feathers on flies ; things, the 

 use of which I have often heard people ridicule ; 

 but as surely seen them very glad to adopt, after 

 fear of the charge of versatility of mind had 

 passed ! I remember showing them to a very 

 excellent fly-dresser in this neighbourhood, one 

 year, but he despised them ; he could not even use 

 the scissors — a large pocket knife being his best 

 friend. However, when next I paid him a visit 



F 2 



