296 THE CONCAVE-SEATED SHOE. 



sure without injury. Then the foot-side of the web 

 is bevelled or hollowed out, and presents a concave 

 surface to the sole ; so that, even when the sole 

 descends immediately after the foot being brought 

 into contact with the ground, there is no possibility of 

 its touching any part of the shoe. 



The concave- seated shoe presents to the ground an 

 accurately flat surface ; and to the foot a surface flat 

 towards the outside, where it is to receive the crust, 

 and hollow over the sole. Towards the quarters the 

 shoe narrows, and the seating widens ; so as to afford 

 a level bearing, sufficiently broad to receive and 

 protect the quarter. 



The common country-shoe is a very different one. 

 It also is flat towards the ground ; but it presents to 

 the foot either a flat surface, or a wholly concave one. 

 It is much more easily made than the other ; and that 

 is a very considerable object with too many smiths. 

 If the foot surface of the shoe is slanting, the crust 

 must be cut in a slanting direction, in order to cor- 

 respond with the shoe. 



The seated shoe will suit almost every kind of 

 foot ; even that which is a little disposed to pumice : 

 whereas, the common shoe, although it may be worn 

 without inconvenience on the concave foot, must be 

 dangerous to the flat one; and almost necessarily 

 productive of evil where the sole is in the least degree 

 convex. 



After all, however, more depends on the preparation 

 of the foot than on the kind of shoe. The sole should 

 be well pared out all round ; until it will yield a little 

 to the pressure of the hardened thumb of the smith. 



