TROUSERS AND BOOTS 169 



are still worn in Russia to indicate liberal 

 views. An ultra-royalist is not content with 

 long boots, but must add rubber overshoes to 

 make his feet look large. 



Away from the influence of English fashions, 

 the horsemen of the world wear trousers ; of 

 cloth in the Russian Empire and South 

 Africa, of moleskin in Australasia, of duck in 

 North America. Any kind of tight clothing 

 which cramps the limbs is looked upon as an 

 abomination. 



Boots. Long boots were recommended by 

 Xenophon to the Greeks, low shoes are older 

 still. Both save the natural strength and 

 spring of the ankle which is needed in mount- 

 ing a horse, useful in riding him. 



Towards the middle of the nineteenth cen- 

 tury the increase of town life and improved 

 paving made boot-tops worn under trousers 

 appear superfluous in weight, cost and dis- 

 comfort. Thus came the ankle boot as an 

 economy and a comfort, but coupled with it 

 was a lacing to " support " the ankle. To 

 lace a man's ankle or a woman's waist is to 

 replace with a merely stiff material the strong 

 elastic muscles of the natural body, and sap the 

 necessary health and strength which God has 

 given. 



