The long heel, on the contrary, tends to raise the foot upward in shape, and also to restore its strength and grace. As a means of prevention, it should be adopted for all children, to preserve the shape of feet that are still natural. The Plumer heel has frequently been carried to an extreme, and in such a way as to make its shape appear clumsy and inelegant. For this there is no real necessity. A heel that will extend under the foot half an inch farther than the generality of short ones, _can be made, by pitching it well under behind, to appear only slightly longer than common_ at the top, (or bottom,) and be tasteful in every particular. The form may be that of the most approved, and there is no demand for greater width. If the counters or stiffenings be of the right kind, the heel may be made sufficiently narrow to look well, and correspond with the general appearance of an elegant boot, without danger of its treading over. This latter kind of trouble comes mainly from _counters that are too weak_, though, of course, a heel that is too small relatively—which is not handsome—or that is built inclining to one side, will be likely to produce the same result. A _high_ heel has an influence in encouraging this false condition of the arch by throwing the foot forward, thus creating the same effect as a shortening of the heel itself. This is not so great a cause as some others, it is true, but, as one thing tending to the same general result, it should be considered and guarded against. It is claimed that a necessity exists for a heel of some kind in order to prevent the stubbing of the toes in walking; and the fact that people of Eastern countries turn up the toes of their shoes seems to countenance the claim. Yet, it is doubtful. Although Nature did not put anything under our heels, it cannot be supposed that she intended us to go about constantly stubbing our toes. If there had really been a need of raising up the heel, she would have raised it. It is more likely that by wearing heels we have got the foot into a false habit of pointing the toes downward more than is natural, and hence our inclination to stub them when the artificial heels are not under us, if such is the fact. The heels must be decided (described) as unnatural as they are unnecessary. Still, a moderately high one is not so obnoxious as to be worth disputing about. If the height were limited to an inch for the heels of a lady’s boot, and an inch and a quarter for those of gentlemen, as a general rule, in both cases, the disadvantage of such heels would be so trifling that they could hardly be objectionable, provided the length was sufficient. But a _short_ heel, however _low_ it may be, is a villainous thing.