1793: on the best mode of carrying burdens. 231% 
vail in-one. county from that which is followed in 
another, without any attending circumstances that 
could authorise a difference, the one of which is 
much better than the other, and prevented from be- 
ing made universal, merely by ignorance and esta- 
blifhed custom. Such ignorance ought to be removed ; 
and on that account I am eager to mention the practice 
that prevails in London in carrying burdens, by 
whigh not only the danger of injuring the health of 
the labourer is removed, but also a man can with 
ease carry a burden a half heavier than he could by 
the Edinburgh mode; it is simply thus ; ; 
” A firm cufhion stuffed with straw in the form of a 
erescent, the two horns joined by a piece of belt, is 
put on the fhoulders, the joining belt, being pafsed 
over the forehead to prevent the whole from slipping 
off. The cufhion being as deep as the height of the 
head and neck, the whole weight of the burden rests 
upon it, and of course ultimately on the thoulders, 
whilst the man stands nearly erect, (the position in 
which he has the most carrying strength,) and the 
head remains unhurt. This very simple and effica- 
cious instrument, the London porters call a knot; 
and in my opinion it ought to be recommended to 
all persons carrying burdens, and particularly to 
the baker’s apprentices. 
But if the porters in London alcavee more judge- 
ment than those of Edinburgh, the Leith carters on 
the other hand excel those of London ina still higher 
degree ; for there can be no doubt, that a single man 
with a poor horse not worth ten pounds, anda light 
Leith cart, will perform as much, I would even ven- 
