a kind of shoe, somewhat in manner of a boot, and adapted to either foot, and worn by either sex.

This part of dress, covering both the foot and mid-leg, was tied underneath the knee; it was very rich and fine, and principally used on the stage by actors in tragedy. It was of a quadrangular form, and the sole was so thick, as that, by means thereof, men of the ordinary stature might be raised to the pitch and elevation of the heroes they personated. The colour was generally purple on the stage: herein it was distinguished from the sock, worn in comedy, that being only a low common shoe. The buskin seems to have have been worn, not only by actors, but by girls, to raise their height; travellers and hunters also made use of it, to defend themselves from the mire.

In classic authors, we frequently find the buskin used to signify tragedy itself, in regard it was a mark of tragedy on the stage.

It is also to be understood for a lofty strain, or high style.

BUS, in maritime affairs, a small sea-vehicle, used by us and the Dutch in the herring-fishery, commonly from forty-eight to sixty tons burden, and sometimes more: A bus has two small sheds or cabins, one at the prow, and the other at the stern; that at the prow serves for a kitchen.

Every bus has a master, an assistant, a mate, and seamen in proportion to the vessel's size: the master commands in chief, and without his express order the nets cannot be cast, nor taken up; the assistant has the command after him; and the mate next, whose business is to see the seamen manage their rigging in a proper manner, to mind those who draw in their nets, and those who kill, gut, and cure the herrings, as they are taken out of the sea: The seamen do generally engage for a whole voyage in the lump. The provision which they take on board the buffets, consist commonly in biscuit, oat-meal, and dried or salt fish; the crew being content for the rest with what fresh fish they catch. See Fisheries.