318 GOODYEAR ON GUM -ELASTIC. 



concerning them are, perhaps, unnecessary. They are, to many 

 persons, an article of absolute necessity ; and their great econ- 

 omy is a great temptation, especially for the laboring classes, to 

 wear them constantly. Some persons may do this with im- 

 punity, especially if they are changed often ; but in general, on 

 account of their confining perspiration, they may be considered 

 injurious to health, if worn constantly. They are only suitable 

 to be worn out of doors in wet or muddy walking. The fore- 

 going remarks are applicable to this branch of manufacture as 

 it has been, and as it now exists; but in consequence of the im- 

 provements which are made in the fabrics by perforating or 

 making them porous, it is presumed that gum-elastic shoes will, 

 ere long, be made, which may be worn constantly, with even 

 more satisfaction than leather shoes. Specimens of perforated 

 and porous gum-elastic shoes have recently been made, that 

 warrant the conclusion that the gum, with the high finish that 

 is given to these shoes, is so far a repellent of water, that, when 

 they are of an ordinary thickness, water will not penetrate them, 

 unless under pressure ; and it is certain that they are equally 

 comfortable, or more so, than shoes made of cloth or leather, so 

 far as relates to the upper portions of them. 



The soles, when made of India rubber, cemented in the usual 

 way, will, in some degree, cause the soles of the feet to perspire. 

 This may be obviated in a great measure by an inner sole of 

 another material, and completely removed by cementing a stay 

 around the edge of the upper, and stitching a leather sole to it, 

 in the same way as leather shoes. By these means it is ex- 

 pected that gum-elastic will answer not only the present use for 

 over-shoes, but that it may be made a porous vegetable leather ; 

 and so far, at least, as shoes are concerned, a substitute for 

 animal leather for ordinary wear. 



If the wi'iter is correct in these conclusions, the future useful- 

 ness and extent of this branch of gum-elastic manufacture can 

 hardly, at the present day, be estimated. The saving of expense 

 certainly cannot, at present, be estimated. Even now, the cost 

 of shoes of gum-elastic or vegetable leather, is much less than 



