On Gymnastic Exercises. 329 



of lengthening and straining the ligaments are then distinctly 

 marked. Indeed these evils are not confined to a peculiarity 

 of gait, for the feet of almost every opera-dancer, excepting 

 those called the pantomimes^ are deformed, and even some of 

 the dancers, while in full vigour and most admired, are actually 

 lame. This seems a bold assertion ; but if a high instep be im- 

 portant to a well-formed foot, these dancers' feet are deformed, 

 for, with few exceptions, they are quite flat; and that they are 

 lame cannot be denied, as they have, almost all, a halt in their 

 gait. If we consider the manner in which they are taught, we 

 shall not be surprised at this. They commence their discipline 

 at a very early age, and endeavour, for many hours daily, to 

 stretch the ligaments of the feet and ankles. This is done in 

 various ways, but chiefly by standing on the tips of their toes, 

 their only respite being occasional attempts to push the ankle 

 bones towards the floor. In this way the power of the muscles 

 is soon exhausted, and the whole weight of the body being then 

 sustained by the ligaments, they yield; and hence those which 

 bind the bones of the foot together become unnaturally length- 

 ened. As a necessary consequence of the stretching and 

 elongation of the ligaments, the bones are separated from each 

 other, and the feet are thus rendered nearly as flat as those of 

 a monkey *. Although the shuffling gait and the lameness ap- 

 parent in walking depend principally on the condition of the 

 ligaments and of the muscles forming the calf of the leg, they 



• The feet of those who wear strong shoes are frequently deformed, 

 but in a different manner. The bones are pressed together, and the 

 hgaments and small muscles, instead of being unduly developed, are 

 nearly destroyed ; this results from the shoes almost entirely preventing 

 the natural action of the muscles. The eifect of encasing the feet in the 

 manner practised in China is generally known ; there was an opportu- 

 nity of proving, by examination of the feet of the Chinese woman, who 

 died in Pall Mall, that the stucco models, brought from China, give a 

 very correct idea of their form. 



In connection with this subject, the curious difference between the 

 foot and leg of an Irish haymaker and that of an English peasant may be 

 noted. The effects produced by the heavy unyielding shoe, and the tight 

 leather gaiters, which the Englishman wears, are very evident in the 

 shape of his leg, for he has scarcely any calf, and when he runs, he 

 drags his leg after him as if it were a lifeless mass attached to his 

 thigh ; while the Irishman, or a Scotch shepherd, being seldom encum- 

 bered with shoes, has strong and well-formed feet and legs, and, in run-» 

 ning, bounds or. springs from the toes, 



APRIL— JUNE, 1827. Z 



