348 BREECHES. 



coat, as when thus made an even appearance is always main- 

 tained. 



A heavy cloth waistcoat with farmer's satin sleeves, lined 

 throughout with flannel and without any collar should be 

 worn under the greatcoat in place of the body coat. 



BREECHES. 



Breeches-making, owing to the skill required and the gen- 

 eral ignorance of the art, has been made a specialty of by a 

 few tailors, who on account of their success in that line have 

 found it more profitable than a general trade. Some unprin- 

 cipled or over self-confident members of the profession fight 

 for a share of the liberal rewards paid for superior workman- 

 ship, but the neophyte, unless very "green," will avoid this 

 class by learning from a friend or the head man of a well 

 appointed stable the address of a competent breeches 

 maker. 



Breeches are made of buckskin or of stockinette the 

 latter should always be of secondary choice. The breeches 

 should fit snugly above and below the knee, but about the 

 joint it is necessary that they should be fuller to allow of free 

 use of the limbs. From just below the knee down they 

 should be buttoned. This slit should come so that the but- 

 tons will lie in the hollow on the outside of the shin bone. 

 It is no affectation to button the breeches in front in this 

 manner, but a matter of comfort, as any one knows who has 

 ever worn badly made riding breeches which brought the 

 buttons on the side of the leg where they were pressed into 

 the flesh by the top of the boots. This hollow just below the 

 knee cap and extending along the outer side of the shin is 

 apparently a special provision of nature for the comfort of 



