This is, perhaps, the best form—the nearest approach to that of the foot—which is practically attainable while the modern boot and shoe retain their present peculiarity, of a sole narrower at the toe than at the ball. On the whole, it is probably equal or superior to that recommended by Prof. Meyer, for though his is more crooked, giving larger latitude to the great toe, it is a question if it does not, by the extreme curve, tend to cramp the little ones more than necessary, thus making a balance between a good point and a bad one. Prof. Meyer’s form may be best for certain feet, and for a particular purpose, as will be explained in speaking of the remedy for crooked toes, but for general purposes we have more faith in this. If it were adopted in general use, and more especially for the shoes of children, and those who have not yet seriously deformed their feet at the joint, the next generation would show that crooked toes, soft corns, inverted nails, big joints, and bunions had been almost abolished. Such a result is entirely worthy of a noble effort on the part of those who furnish foot coverings. Such an effort, too, when made, will surely be seconded by the growing intelligence of the whole people, who will be constantly learning a better appreciation of the reform. It is to be hoped that manufacturers and wearers will both see what is for their credit and interest, and unite in securing its realization. But it will not do to be content with what is, after all, only a rough approximation to the perfect form, for, superior as is the Excelsior last to all the existing shapes, it is still but a transition to one more complete and more permanently enduring. Like all the others, it fails to give the outside toes a chance to keep their natural form. The foot, in its normal condition, does not very closely resemble any of the shapes that have here been illustrated. It is only after it has been distorted that there appears any real fitness between it and the shoe. The forward part of the foot is wider than the middle; but this fact is not recognized in making its covering. Even Prof. Meyer is no more consistent than others, as may be seen by contrasting one of the specimens of natural feet which he shows us with the sole of a shoe such as he would have it clothed with. As exhibited in the cuts below, is there any good correspondence between the two, except that both have a general straightness upon the inside? [Illustration: FIG. 19.—MEYER’S FORM OF SOLE.] [Illustration: FIG. 20.—NATURAL FOOT.] The foot is a wide one, and the shoe-sole rather narrow; but this need not be taken into account, for the same want of harmony would exist if the widths were alike. A narrow foot, however, may be seen by reference to Fig. 8, in a preceding chapter. The only way out of this awkward inconsistency is the acceptance of the form before suggested, and here reproduced (Fig. 21) to be compared with its competitors. [Illustration: FIG. 21.—EUREKA.]