52 



On a Dress for Drainers. 



The leggings are formed of ordinary leather, in two pieces 

 detached from each other, about 40 inches in length, and 18 

 inches wide at the top for the waist ; 20 inches a little lower 

 down, allowing a sweep for the haunches ; and 15 inches at the 

 ankle. One strap is placed on the front and one on the back of 

 the top belt of the right legging ; and corresponding buckles on 

 the left legging, to fasten them up round the waist. Three 

 buckles are placed on the lower part of the straight front of each 

 legging, with three straps behind, just below the sweep, ex- 

 panding round the haunches ; which expansion may be restrained, 

 if thought necessary, from sticking out, by another buckle and 

 strap behind, a little below the belt-strap. The straps and 

 buckles being drawn together round the leg, form the trowser or 

 legging, one being above the knee and two below it. 



The armlets are also formed in two pieces of rather lighter 

 leather, 30 inches in length, 13 inches wide round the shoulder, 

 8 inches at the wrist ; a strap and buckle to surround the wrist, 

 the same just above the elbow, and the same to unite the two 

 separate pieces of leather across the back ; a piece of webbing 

 on each side to tie loosely across the chest, to keep the armlets 

 in their place. The leather is scooped inwards at the top, not to 

 interfere with the face and neck. 



For placing the pipes in their bed we use a pair of nippers 

 made by our own workmen. The handles, which are of oak, 

 play on an iron pivot — and, where this pivot works, are 1 J and 1 

 inch thick, but are gradually reduced both ways for lightness, 

 and slightly bulge at the hand-end for convenience in holding. 

 The additional breadth of the parts that clutch the tile is gained 

 by screwing on another piece of wood with two screws, which is 

 additionally secured by the screws of a roughed iron plate (not 

 one-eighth of an inch thick) with which those parts are faced, 

 and which is turned over the end and screwed again with two 

 screws at the back. The advantage of this tool is, that the 

 drainer can handle the tile readily, in whatever position he may 

 find it, and place it firmly in its bed, without of course having to 

 descend himself into the narrow scooped channel prepared for 

 the reception of the tile only. 



The draining leggings cost, the pair, about 20s., the armlets 

 10s., the tile-nippers 7s. 6d. 



I send a pattern pair of trowsers and armlets, and nippers, 

 with a sketch of each, to the Agricultural Society's office, for any 

 one who may have the curiosity to look at them. 



Believe me, my dear Mr. Pusey, 



Very truly yours, 



Westminster. 



Motcombe House, Shaftesbury, 2Qih Feb. 1849. 



