The book is not written in the dignified style of a professor, nor with literary correctness; but it is hoped the ideas contained, and the nature of the subject-matter, will make it readable. It is addressed to those who desire comfort for their feet, and no less to those who wish to see them handsome in form and tastefully dressed. As first prepared, the matter, under a different title, was printed in a trade journal—the _Shoe and Leather Reporter_—in 1868, since which a careful revision has improved and adapted it for its present form. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE INTRODUCTORY 1 CHAPTER II. Natural Position of the Toes—Anatomical Argument—Correspondence of Foot and Hand—Necessity of Freedom for the Toes—Criticism on Forms of Sole 6 CHAPTER III. Distortion of the Toes and Joint—Various Causes—Want of Harmony between Shape of Foot and Shape of Shoe—Grown-in-Nails—Influence of Stockings, Narrow-Toed Soles, High Heels, and Changing of Shoes—Faults of Lasts 17 CHAPTER IV. Prevention of Deformed Toes and Joint—New Forms of Sole—Eureka Last—True Standard of Taste—How Distorted Great Toe may be Straightened—Ancient and Medieval Foot-apparel—Suggestions 36 CHAPTER V. Flattened Condition, of the Arch—Beauty of One that is Natural—Nature and Purpose of its Construction—How it becomes Broken Down—Lengthening of the Foot—Lack of Development—Means of Improvement—Lasts for Flat Feet—Transverse Arch 61 CHAPTER VI. Natural Character of the Instep—Causes, and Prevention, of Sores upon it—False Taste—Callosities of the Heel—Counters—Criticism of Lasts 87 CHAPTER VII. _Inclinations_ of the Feet—How to Make them tread Squarely—Peculiar Lasts—Weak Ankles—Cultivation of Muscle—Turning-in of the Toes 100 CHAPTER VIII. Corns, Bunions, and Callosities—How they Originate—Nature of the Skin—Various Causes of Corns—How to Remove them—Quotations from the Medical Books—Nature and Treatment of Bunions 110 CHAPTER IX. Recapitulation—Lasts for Individual Feet—Possibility of all Feet being Well Fitted in their Clothing—Ease and Grace of Movement—A Last Word for Children 128 CHAPTER X. Miscellaneous—Criticism of Different Forms and Fashions—Elasticity—Sensitiveness—Rubbers and Water-proof Leather—Cure for Sweating—Qualities of a Good Covering 139 DRESS AND CARE OF THE FEET. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY