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several occasions I have had them severely tested. A 

 gentleman at Hungerford, who weighed eighteen stone, 

 sat on my basket for a considerable time, while I was 

 tempting a four-pound trout to take my floating May fly, 

 and which I had the satisfaction of landing after a sharp 

 tussle. I have made great improvements as regards the 

 shape to fit the back ; and to my own I have two small 

 leather straps attached at the back, by the hinges, to carry 

 my macintosh, which I find a great convenience, as it 

 does not interfere either in using it as a seat, or in carrying 

 it on the back, This basket has many advantages, and 

 I will name a few of them. First, and most important, is 

 the dry and comfortable seat. Secondly, they are open, 

 to admit air, and can be washed and kept clean without 

 getting rotten, as is the case with the French basket. 



I consider bags an abomination, as they entirely spoil 

 the freshness of the fish, and unfit them for the table. 

 The other day a gentleman, who is a great angler, brought 

 his seat basket (which he had purchased of me seven 

 years before) to be re-varnished. It was in a good state 

 of preservation, and had kept its shape. He informed 

 me he had taken it with him all over the continent, and 

 had filled it scores of times with trout, greyling, and 

 other fish. He had also found it a comfortable seat 

 while sketching. The basket now looks as good as ever, 

 and will, I have no doubt, accompany him on many 

 another fishing expedition. They are fitted with locks 

 and a broad leather shoulder strap, which I think is 

 preferable to webbing, especially in wet weather. 



