The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-01

half OF the leg. Soldiers wore a kind
OF sandal, the sole Of which was covered
with heavy spikes. Toward the end
OF the Roman Republic, a fashionable foot
equipment was In the shape OF glove,
coming well up on 10 the leg or only
Just above the ankle, according 10 the
fancy OF the wearer Stockings were then
unknown. The customary chaussure Of
women In that day was very much like
that OF men. Their shoes were usually
white. though sometimes black. red, yell
low, green and scarlet. They wore very
heavy soles TO their shoes I'm order TO in
crease their apparent height as much as
possible.
Slaves i'm ancient Rome were obliged
TO go barefooted as badge Of their ser
vitude. They were called "cretati" be-
cause their feet were branded when they
were sold, or "gypsati' because their
feet we're dusty. Owing TO this custom
free men were most careful never to go
out without shoes for fear Of being mis-
taken for slaves Magicians when prac-
ticing their craft had one foot naked and
the other In a shoe. which style was sup
posed TO be an aid to their mysterious
science.
According to Homer, the Greeks wore
boots from the time when Agamemnon
reigned. but II is probable that they only
made use OF them in battle. for the mon
uments which date from before the siege
Of Troy. show the people OF that day
wearing a simple sole, held on by bands
OF either leather or cloth wound several
times around the ankle and sometimes
continued half way up the leg. Ladies
wore slippers.
Besides their boots and shoes the
Greeks had another style of footgear,
els.s.- L1.fn-
SEES. This did not cover the foot, be-
ing little more than a sole. For muddy
roads. they wore large. coarse. and solid
lymade boots. Shoes of a certain pat
tern were called "Amycleides." after the
city of Angels. where they were manu-
featured. They were Of bright red col
or. Even at Athens, many people went
barefooted.
The monuments OF ancient Egypt show
figures of women wearing sandals. New
ertheless. Plutarch declares that the peo-
pie Of that country were accustomed TO
20 barefoot 1t is known that the Ca
lph Hakken. founder Of the religion Of the
Druses. forbade the Egyptian shoemak-
ers under penalty OF death. 10 make any
sort OF footgear for women. The an
cient Egyptians wore shoes which were
quite remarkably like those II the mini
teeuth century. a. ID.
In ancient times a mans nationality
could be distinguished at glance by the
style or color Of his boots The Assy-
rians were always shod In leather,
while the Tyrians preferred purple OF
the tint known as OK blood Shoes among
the Hebrews played an important part
i'm the ceremonies Of life. III man
wished to sell an article, he removed
his footgear and did not resume 1t UNI
tA he had made the sale. Before the
marriage ceremony was performed among
these people it was customary for the
bridegroom to give a ring to the bride,
10 embrace her, and to present her with
a shoe. The Hebrews took off their shoes
when i'm mourning, or when IN the pres
ence Of any person to whom they wish
ed TO show marked respect They also
left their shoes at the door on entering
their houses. This custom il still tol-
lowed by some of the orientals. To
Nlussulman. "A blow with "A slipper was
formerly more dreadful than a stab with
a dagger, as it disgraced him in the eyes
Of his fellows.
The inhabitants Of the Maldive Islands
seldom wear any foot covering in the
street. though at home they put on wood
en- sandals or slippers. However, IL
they have a visitor to whom they wish
TO show Difference. they take off their
shoes as a mark OF respect.-Boston
JOurual