means of regulating screws, and the whole is fixf:d into a handle. By passing the splits between the two edges they are reduced to skains, the thickness of which is determined
by the interval between the edges of the tool.The implements required by a basket-maker are few and simple. They consist, besides the preceding, of knives, bodkins, leads for keeping the work steady while in pro cess ; and where the willows are worked as rods a heavy piece of iron called a beater is employed to beat them close os they are woven in. On the Continent, where fancy baskets are made, blocks are required on which the webs of wicker-work are set to particular shapes.
An ordinary basket is made by preparing the requisite number of osiers, and preserving their length considerably greater than that of the finished work. They are ranged in pairs on the floor parallel to each other, at small intervals, in the direction of the longer dia meter of the basket ; and this may be called the woof, for, as we have said, basket/work is literally a web. These parallel rods are then crossed at right angles by two of the largest osiers, with the thick ends towards the workman, who places his foot upon them ; and being each woven alternately over and under the parallel pieces first laid down, they are by that means confined in their places. The whole now forms what is technically called the slath, which is the foundation of the basket. Next the long end of one of the two rods is taken and woven under and over the pairs of short ends all round the bottom, until the whole be woven in. The same is done with the other rod, and then additional long osiers are also woven in, until the bottom be of sufficient size, and the woof be occupied by them. Thus the bottom or foundation on which the superstructure is to be raised is finished ; and this latter part is accomplished by sharpening the large ends of as many long and stout osiers as may be necessary to form the ribs or skeleton. These are forced or plaited, " scallumed, " between the rods of the bottom from the edge towards the centre, and are turned up, "upset, "in the direction of the sides ; then other rods are woven in and out between each of them, until the basket is raised to the intended height, or, more correctly speaking, the depth it is to receive. The edge or brim is finished by turning down the perpendicular ends of the ribs, now protruding and standing up, over each other, whereby the whole is firmly and compactly united. A handle is adapted to the work by forcing one or more rods called bale sticks, sharpened at the end and cut to the requisite length, down the weaving of the sides, close together ; and they are pinned fast, or tied by means of the rods used in twisting over tha bale rods, about two inches from the brim, in order that the handle, when completed, may be retained in its proper position. The osiers are then either bound or plaited in such fashion as pleases the taste of the artist. This is the most simple kind of basket, from which others differ only in finer materials and nicer execution ; but in these there is considerable scope for taste and fancy, and implements are produced of extreme neatness and ingenuity in construction. The skains are frequently smoked and dyed either of dull or brilliant colours, and by intermixing them judiciously, as also by varnishing over the colour, a very good effect is produced.
From the simplicity of this manufacture, a great many individuals, independent of professed basket-makers, are occupied in it ; and it affords suitable employment to the blind in the several asylums and workshops established for their reception in this and other countries.
In addition to willows, a large variety of othar materials is employed in the fabrication of wicker-work. Among the most important of these are splits of various species of bamboo, with which the Japanese and Chinese manufacture baskets of unequalled beauty and finish. The bamboo wicker-work with which the Japanese sometimes encase their delicate egg-shell porcelain is a marvellous example of manipulation, and they and the Chinese excel in the appli cation of bamboo wicker-work to furniture,. Th.9 "canes" or rattans of commerce, stems of species of Calamus and Dcemonorops are scarcely less important as a source of basket materials. In India " Cajan " baskets are extensively made from the fronds of the Palmyra palm, Borassus Habelliformis ; and this manufacture has in recent years been established in the Black Forest of Germany, where it is now an important and characteristic staple. Among the other materials may be enumerated the odorous roots of the Khus-Khus grass, Anatherum muricatum, and the leaves of various species of screw pine, used in India and the East generally. The frond.? of the palm of the Seychelles Islands, Lodoicea seychdlarum, are used for very delicate basket-work in those islands. Strips of the New Zealand flax plant, Phormium tencuc, are made into baskets in New Zealand. Esparto fibre is used in Spain and Algeria for rude fruit baskets. Various species of Maranta yield basket materials in the West Indies and South America; and the Tirite, a species of Calathea, is also similarly employed in Trinidad. Baskets are also frequently made from straw, from various sedges (Cyperus), and from shavings and splints of many kinds of wood.
In the basket trade special centres are recognized as the headquarters of various styles of work met in the markets. Thus Birmingham is recognized as the source of wicker perambulators ; in Southport boiled willows are used, and the brown baskets for gardening and market purposes are produced, and at Castle Donnington, in Derbyshire, tha flat skain work seen in fishing baskets, <kc., is chiefly made. In the department of Aisne, France, the berceatinette or bassinet is very largely manufactured, and in Verdun much basket-work is specially prepared to suit the English market, in which the French manufacturers are able freely to compete. The Black Forest and other German manu facturers produce enormous quantities of light elegant baskets, which are largely exported. In Austria lacquered and varnished baskets are made in imitation of gold, silver, and steel, and Viennese card baskets, &c., are frequently ornamented with plaques of painted porcelain inserted in the centre.
BASNAGE, Jacques, pastor of the Walloon Church at the Hague, was born at Rouen in Normandy on the 8th of August 1653. He was the son of Henri Basnage, one of the ablest advocates in the parliament of Normandy. At the age of seventeen, having acquired a good know ledge of the Greek and Latin authors, as well as of the English, Spanish, and Italian languages, he went to Geneva, where he began his theological studies under Mestrezat, Turretin, and Tronchin ; he completed them at Sedan, under the professors Jurieu and Leblanc de Beaulieu. He then returned to Rousn, where he was received as pastor in September 1676 ; and in this capacity he remained till the year 1685, when, the exercise of the Protestant religion being suppressed at Rouen, he obtained leave of the king to retire to Holland. He settled at Rotterdam, and continued a minister pensionary there till 1691, when he was chosen pastor of the Walloon Church of that city. In 1709, the pensionary Heinsius secured his election as one of the pastors of the Walloon Church at the Hague, intending to employ him not only in religious but also in civil affairs. Accordingly he was engaged in a secret negotiation with Marshal d Uxelles, plenipotentiary of France at the congress of Utrecht, a service which he executed with so much success, that he was afterwards intrusted with several important commissions, all of which he discharged with such ability and address that Voltaire said of him that he was fitter to be a minister of state than the minister of a parish. The Abbe Dubois, who represented France at the Hague in 1716, in negotiating a defensive alliance between France, England, and the States- General, received instructions to consult with Basnage; they accordingly acted in concert, and the alliance was concluded in January 1717. His numerous published works, which are mostly in French, include The History of the Religion of the Reformed Churches ; Jeivish Anti quities , The History of the Old and New Testament ; Dis sertation on Duels, &c. lie died on the 22d September 1723.
The three Spanish provinces known by this name, which
are distinguished from all the other divisions of Spain by