Of all the shapes of nature, no shape has been so marvellously maltreated as the human foot. It has suffered as no other portion of the body has suffered: it has endured exceeding length and exceeding narrowness; it has been swelled into broad, club-like shapes; it has been artificially raised from the ground, ended off square, pressed into tight points, curved under, and finally, as to-day, placed in hard, shining, tight leather boxes. All this has been done to one of the most beautiful parts of the human anatomy by the votaries of fashion, who have in turn been delighted to expose the curves of their bodies, the round swelling of their hips, the beauties of their nether limbs, the whiteness of their bosoms, the turn of their elbows and arms, and the rotundity of their shoulders, but who have, for some mysterious reasons, been for hundreds of years ashamed of the nakedness of their feet. Let me give a wardrobe for a man of this time. A hood with a cape to it; the peak of the hood made full, but about half a hand's breadth longer than necessary to the hood; the cape cut sometimes at the edge into a number of short slits. A cap of soft stuff to fit the head, with or without an upturned brim. A fillet of silk or metal for the hair. A gown made very loose and open at the neck, wide in the body, the sleeves loose or tight to the wrist. The gown long or short, on the ground or to the knee, and almost invariably belted at the waist by a long belt of leather with ornamental studs. A surcoat split from shoulder to hem, or sewn up except for a wide armhole. A coat shaped very slightly to the figure, having pocket-holes in front, small armholes, and a buttoned neck. A great oblong-shaped piece of stuff for a cloak, or a heavy, round cloak with an attached hood. Tights of cloth or sewn silk--that is, pieces of silk cut and sewn to the shape of the leg. Shoes with long points--about 2 inches beyond the toes--fastened by a strap in front, or laced at the sides, or made to pull on and fit at the ankle, the last sometimes with a V-shaped piece cut away on either side. There was a tendency to beads, and a universal custom of long hair. In all such clothes as are mentioned above every rich stuff of cloth, silk, wool, and frieze may be used, and fur linings and fur hats are constant, as also are furred edges to garments. There was a slight increase of heraldic ornament, and a certain amount of foreign diaper patterning on the clothes. THE WOMEN Now the lady must needs begin to repair the ravages of time and touch the cheek that no longer knows the bloom of youth with--rouge.