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ABOUT KNAPSACKS.
31
Before advancing on the journey I must describe my
knapsack. I have had much experience in knapsacks,
and made many improvements and inventions in them;
my last invention, previous to the present one, being
a knapsack of zinc, suggested by a botanical vasculum,
and somewhat resembling one. I walked through
Wales and the Lake district with it, and found it had
many advantages; but that for which it was mainly
constructed was not among them, viz., relief from the
heat and perspiration at that part of the back upon
which the knapsack rests, and which are the chief
objections to carrying a knapsack. Besides this, the
country people were continually inquiring the price of
candles; assuming, from the shape and material of the
box 011 my back, that I was travelling for a house in
the tallowchandlery line.
My present knapsack is made of strong open
wicker-work, curved, like an angler’s basket, to the shape of the
back, and lined on the inside with waterproof cloth, so
that the bare wicker rests upon the back. A free
ventilation is thus secured, which effectually carries off
the perspiration. The top is closed by a leathern flap
with straps. The attachment of the shoulder-straps is
the same as in the Swiss and German knapsacks, viz.,
from the middle of the upper part of the back of the
knapsack; so that the straps cross the shoulders
diagonally, and require no breast-straps: which last are
abominable inventions, most uncomfortable and injurious
to health by pressing upon the ribs and contracting the
chest. This wicker knapsack combines lightness and
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