Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1875 — Boots and Shoes. [ARTICLE]

Boots and Shoes.

*n*e choice of boots and shoes is one ot fee most difficult tasks in domestic economy; from want of knowledge and bad taste in this particular many a foot has been ruined and many a life lost, not to mention the discomfort consequent on corns. The foot in its natural state is a wonder-Itally-contrived arch, the bases of which an the heel and the joints of the toes with the foot; on the summit of this arch is placed the whole weight of the body, and beneath it is a strong sinew Attached to heel and toe, which prevents the arch from becoming flat when the pressure from above is exerted, as in walking, standing, etc.; on the outer side the bones shelve i town so as to give greater support, and on the inner side is placed the great toe, the prime lever of our progressive movements. The foot in this form is seldom seen except in those who do not mear shoes or boots, or in those who exercise their judgment in the selection. Many nations have found it convenient to go without any covering or protection far the feet, but others, as the Arabs, wear sandals to protect the sole from tlic heat and sand, and the Indian wears his moccasins both for warmth and as a protection from the brambles of his native woods. Europeans and the more liighlycivilized peoples of the globe have long since lost sight of comfori and protection, and now have cases made for the feet which follow some strict rule of an absurd fashion* V. A good foot-covering should be nnwle on the model of the root—a broad, luv able, not a fraction narrower than tin broadest part ot the foot, ants, of niodcraU thickness, to protect it front danTpydieiy or cold; a heel not more than half an inch (hick, in proportion to the sole, to compensate for the arch, which would otherwise be destroyed. This heel should not be put on shoes at all. The uppers should be of soft leather so that every movement cf the foot may take place in its natural aequcncc and without impediment; and, lastly, the boot is better buttoned or

Hiese requirements arc now entirely set at nought bv fashion. The boot—especially a lady's —is made as narrow as possible. and the sole of the thinnest leather. The heel is made, in many instances, four inches deep. Naturally, by such a practice, the toes receive the whole weight of fee body, the joints become distorted and fee skin hardened by corns, the arch of fee foot is destroyed by bringing the heel into the middle of the instep, the muscles at the back of the thighs are strained, an vnequal strain is put on the spinal colmnn, resulting in deformity, and a danger is incurred of tripping over any insig niflc&nt object, besides giving to the wearer a most apish ami imbecile appearance from the general distortion of fee body.— Exchanged