298 DRESSES FOR 



this dress, with water boots and overalls, every thing 

 (but a man's eyes, which he may defend with goggles, 

 and his mouth and nose, which he may fortify at 

 Messrs. Fribourgs') is as independent of rain as was 

 once! a Corinthian " Charley" in his watch-box. Add 

 to this, it is so light and convenient for the arms, that 

 you may walk, ride, row, or take any exercise without 

 being heated, as with other surtouts. Oil-skin might 

 do likewise ; but this very soon wears out, and comes 

 to six times the price. [In case the logician should 

 condemn the arrangement of this latter sentence, I must 

 humbly beg leave to argue that he would be wrong ; 

 because it is the fashion to wear out the coat first, 

 and joy for it afterwards I mean if paid for at all.] 



Now to the point : 



Make, with an article called Russia duck (which, as 

 well as swanskin, should be previously wetted and dried, 

 to prevent shrinking), a loose over-all frock coat, and a 

 hood ; or a cap, with a flap behind, similar to a coal- 

 heaver's hat, and dress them as follows : 



Take three quarts of linseed oil, and boil them till 

 reduced to two quarts and a half, the doing which will 

 require about three hours; and when the oil is suf- 

 ficiently boiled, it will burn a feather. The addition of 

 some Indian rubber was suggested to me ; but of this 

 I did not make a trial ; because the dressing (for 

 Russia duck), answered so well without it. When the 

 oil is quite cold, take a clean paint-brush, and well work 

 it into the outside of the whole apparel, and it will soon 

 find its way to the inside. Let the apparel then be 

 put out in the air every dry day, for a fortnight or three 

 weeks ; and, at the expiration of that time, provided 

 the oil on it be thoroughly dry, take the remainder of 



