JACK BOOTS. 321 



ing in water. Another article has been made to considerable 

 extent, by covering a woolen felt boot, formed whole, like a 

 hat body, with a sheet of elastic compound upon the outside. 

 These boots have been highly approved, to be worn oc- 

 casionally for a day in severe cold or stormy weather, as, in so 

 short a time, the felt does not saturate with perspiration, so as to 

 make them uncomfortable. When thus worn, or for standing, or 

 wading in water or snow-water in cold climates, they are un- 

 questionably more comfortable than any other boot ; but it is the 

 height of imprudence to wear them constantly for days in suc- 

 cession. 



SPORTING BOOTS. 



These are made of the same materials as the gum-elastic boots 

 before described ; the tops are made either of felt or plated 

 cloth. They are fastened by a belt around the waist, and worn 

 for wading in water, or for marsh shooting, being made high, as 

 represented in plate xxi., fig. 8. 



They do not always answer the expectation of the wearer, 

 being too warm for active exercise. They are as uncomforta- 

 ble for the feet, when wet with perspiration, as when wet with 

 water. They may be worn with great satisfaction by any one 

 standing in water, or wading in marshy ground, either for fishing 

 or shooting, when the wearer does not exercise so as to perspire 

 freely. 



JACK BOOTS. 



This article, which has heretofore been made of hard leather, 

 may be advantageously made of perforated felt, or vegetable 

 leather. See plate xxi., fig. 9. 



