Chap. XTI. 



SMALL FEET OF WOMEN. 



249 



in the same manner. In the more southern pro- 

 vinces, such as Fokien and Canton, the custom is 

 not so universal ; boat- women and field-labourers 

 generally allow their feet to grow to the natural 

 size. Here is one of a peculiar class of country- 

 women, to be met with near Foo-chow, from the 

 talented pencil of Mr. Scarth. 



Foo-chow Countrywoman. 



Dr. Lockhart, whose name I have already men- 

 tioned in these pages, gives the following as the 

 results of his extensive and varied experience on 

 this subject. He says : — 



" Considering the vast number of females who 

 have the feet bound up in early life, and whose 

 feet are then distorted, the amount of actual dis- 

 ease of the bones is small ; the ancle is generally 

 tender, and much walking soon causes the foot to 



