Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1875 — High Heels. [ARTICLE]

High Heels.

A cursory view of the customs of society or of some neighborhoods might convince one of the truth of the doctrine of depravity (total or otherwise), or at least of the itlea that many persons are apparently trying to do as much violence as possible to this physical organism so “ fearfully and wonderfully made.” This thought is naturally suggested by an acquaintance with many of the prevailing customs and fashions of the present day, prominent among which, as illustrating prevailing follies, is the high-heel fashion. We cannot avoid the conclusion that the human foot was original ly made just right, and that ease in locomotion, not only for man but for the low T er orders resembling man iu structure, is best secured by the original form of the foot. In other words, if a high heel is really necessary for ease in walking the Creator would have placed a prominence on this part of the foot corresponding with the “hump” of the camel. But such a hump would now be regarded as a deformity, a malformation, if inside of the boot. The most that we can claim in this respect is that a broad, low heel may be of service in rapid walking, but experience and observation can but teach us that heels worn by both sexes are a nuisance, if worn as the manufacturers intend. Many of these are so high and so small at the top that walking—naturally a fine exercise, among the best—generally becomes irksome, a task, and proauclive of many, many deformities and ailments. It is not t@o much to say that most of the deformities —of which so little is known in savage and barbarious life —such as corns, bunions, incurvation of the nails, sprained and deformed ankles, the misplacement and crooking of the toes, etc., are attributable to this cruel custom. In the words of a medical writer: “ Fashion is at best a cruel tyrant; but the whole history of her capricious rule does not exhibit a grosser violation of natural laws, and a more unpardonable assault on the beauty and health of woman, than the invention of high-heeled boots.” If the natural position of the foot is the best for comfort r and ease of motion, it is evident that any elevation of the heel above its natural position must crowd the foot forward into the boot, resting too much of the weight of the body on the fore-part of the toot, crowding the toes into the front of the boot, of course chafing them and in a variety of ways doing violence to the foot, of course deforming them and making business for a class of men now in demand, the chiropodists. Lameness, sprains, turned ankles and distortions in general are the inevitable results, and most of the wearers of these know die sact —at least in some degree—yet these high heels are still tolerated, high heels versus brains. Custom rules, at least, a certain class, compelling such to submit to arrant cruelty. —Christian Monitor. The Boston editor said he vftote as plain as could be, “ The sacred heavens around him shine,” when the blasted ' printer went and made it, i “ The scared hyenas around him whine!” Bayard Taylor says that there is alcohol in fresh bread, but one has to eat 180 loaves before he imbibes enough of the liquid to feel happy. I