The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-15
WASHINGTON CITY, AUGUST Is, 1851
other metal buckle in front, were almost unyer

other metal buckle in front, were almost uniyer-
sally worn.
The Hessian boot was introduced in this coun.
try In 1880; 1t was made with a seam in the back
and was worn over pantaloons fastened around the
ancies with ribbons. About the same time a boot
wth'a white turnover top was introduced from
England, and was usually worn with short
breeches.
The Suwarrow boot WIS introduced about 500
lt was made with seam at each side, scolloped,
and ornamented in front with black silk tassel
and sometimes gold tasses We're used by officers
OF the army and navy, in full dress
This boot continued in fashion for fifteen years
when it was superseded by the boot now in use,
named the Wellington, after the Duke Of yelling
ton, whose fame extended through the world BY
the just-fougbt battle Of Waterloo !; and this boot
seems to have settled the laws of fashion respect
ing the feet as decisvely as the battle Of Waterloo
settled the affairs of Europe
With regard to ladies' shoes, much descrp-
ton cannot be given. The highheeled shoes
which We before mentioned as being in use in
England in the time of George Ill, were prevalent
here until about 1890, when The high heel was
dispensed with; and 80 painful was this sudden
change, that it is said, the ladies of that period
were forced to do penance to the tyrant Fashion on
ip-toe.i
But to return to the men. The Jefferson shoe
elevation of that gentleman to the presidency; it
was laced in front, as high as the ankles.
This shoe, with some modification is the favor
ite shoe OF the present day, and from the beauty
Of its t and better adapabilty to the shape of the
foot than any other, viii doubtless continue to be
the favorite. The laced boot, which was laced up
at the side, soon after came into fashion, but not
into general use from the Inconvenience of acipg.
From that period, up to the present, shoes have
not been subject to many changes except as to the
shape of the toe and heel, and difference in mate
rial used in the constructions
The great popularity Of the present day, seems
to be in the great variety of styles rather than in
the similarity which formerly existed among the
fashionables
The laced and button cutters, for the last quar-
ter OF a century have asserted their supremacy in
the affections of the ladies, with now and then a
diversion in favor of the buskin, slipper and lace
boot. The latter article deserves more general
favor than it has hitherto received, and is espe-
cially adapted for the winter season.
The invention of the Congress gaiter was a
decided innovation in the manufacture of shoes
For ease, completeness of fit, and little difficulty
in getting on and off, it has never had an equal,
and is now used to a great extent, especially
among the men; with the ladies', however, it has
never been popular, probably from the fact that
in the most OF those manufactured the cores are
too stiff and non-eastic, being in many cases of
precisely the same material as is used in mems
shoes, when the fact of the cores being so much
smaller in ladies' CATERS ought to teach the manu-
facturers to use thinner and more elastic material