Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1886 — Important. [ARTICLE]

Important.

When yon visit or leave New York City, save baggage, expreesage, and >3 earriage hire, and stop at the Grand Union Hotel, opposite Grand Central Depot 613 rooms, fitted up at a cost of one million dollars, I 1 and upwards per day. European ylan. Elevator. Pestaurant supplied with the best. Horse cars, stages, and elevated railroad to all depots. Families can live better for less money at the Grand Union Hotel than at any other first-class hotel in the city. A Shoeless and Stockingless People. The 10,000,000 inhabitants of Mexico use almost entirely home-made boots, shoes, gaiters, slippers, and sandals so far as they wear any foot-covering at all. Shoes in Mexico are a European introduction, and do not properly belong to the national costume. A large proportion of the population (probably a majority) do not wear shoes at all. The sandal, which is a sole of leather, rawhide, or woven maguey fiber, strapped to the bottom of the foot with strings of the same material, is the only foot covering used by this class of people, and as every man is his own shoemaker, and the climate requires no protection for instep or ankle, the national sandal is doubtless the most economical, comfortable, and healthy shoeing that can be worn in this counIn proof of this the infantry regiments of the Mexican army, armed and equipped otherwise without regard to expense, still wear the leather sandal in preference to shoes, not solely for the sake of economy, but because it is considered generally healthier, keeps the feet in better condition, is more easily repaired or replaced, and makes easier marching. The shoe-wearing population of the republic is chiefly of European origin or descent, and such of the Indian population as by education and association have learned to prefer European fashions and mo'des of living. This class has inherited from their Indian as well as their Spanish ancestors remarkably small, well-modeled feet and hands, upon which they pride themselves considerably: consequently a handsome and elegantly shaped shoe is more esteemed in Mexico than a sound and substantial one, and commands a readier sale. Hence, the cheaper shoes made in the country, if not so strong and durable, are more carefully modeled and several sizes smaller than the average trade shoe made in the United States.— Boston Commercial Bulle'in.