This has all the merits of any of them, and the additional one that it allows as much freedom to the toes at the _out_side of the foot as to those at the _in_side. All have a chance, provided other things are as they should be, to develop normally and to perform their functions without interference. There _is_ an agreement between _it_ and the _foot_, not only on one side, _but on both sides and all around_. It represents completely the idea of Dr. Camper, which cannot be done by anything of the narrow-toed form. By a very slight addition to the width from the ball forward, on the inside, it also represents the idea of Prof. Meyer. So far as we can see, it fulfils all the requirements that can be made concerning the _form of sole_. It is proposed to name it the _Eureka_. If a requirement were made that it should agree with the present popular taste, this pattern would signally fail. But though it does not do this, still, if it corresponds with the true form of the foot, and possesses the merits claimed, its excellence will, in time, be acknowledged, and public taste will come to see its _elegance_ also. If there is any reason at all why a thing is beautiful, that reason consists in its fitness or propriety; and if there is any shape more fit and proper for a sole that is to be trod upon by an undeformed foot, will some one discover it and make it known. Taste comes, at least to a great extent, from education. The teaching of China creates a taste which admires a short, stumpy, small, useless foot, as beautiful on a lady. In more enlightened countries a more intelligent taste condemns such a foot as anything else than elegant. A still better educated taste will admire only one that is entirely normal; and to bring opinion up to this standard is the object of effort. People are to learn that pointed toes and big joints are not natural; that they do not come of themselves, and that the foot-gear which produces them cannot have any propriety or beauty. The various long-toed, narrow-toed, broad-toed, stub-toed, short-heeled, thick-soled, stiff, awkward things that are worn by the masses must be seen to be, as they are, unfit coverings to be put upon a decent human foot. Shapes, styles, and fashions must be judged by their harmony or want of harmony with natural requirements, and accepted or rejected accordingly. There must be less deference to an unreasoning, arbitrary opinion, and more of original thought and independent action; though it could hardly be supposed that for such a matter any great amount of personal independence would be required. A different set of views and tastes will thus, however, be substituted for the present ones, as the work of time and a more general knowledge of the subject.