THE BOOK OF THE FEET; A HISTORY OF BOOTS AND SHOES, With Ellustrations OF THE FASHIONS OF THE EGYPTIANS, HEBREWS, PERSIANS, GRFEKS THROUGHOUT EUROPE DURING THE MIDDLE AGES DOWN TO THE PRESENT PERIOD; ALSO HINTS TO LAST MAKERS AND REMEDIES FOR CORNS, ETC., ETC. BY J. SPARKES HALL, PATENT ELASTIC BOOT MAKER TO AND THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. Entered at Stationers' Hall. DL LIBR London, Printed by MELDOLA, CAHN, & CO., 18, St. Mar Axe, City. PREFACE, In the following pages I have endeavoured to give some information respecting Boots and Shoes in all ages. The illustrations of the fashions of the Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, are all taken from the highest authorities, and I believe may be relied on as historical. I have also given the result of my experience, derived from an intimate practical acquaintance with this department of trade for twenty years, and have endeavoured to correct much that was bad in form and material, and I trust have not only found fault in many instances with past and present fashions, but have also enforced and provided the remedy. 308, Regent Street. |