Southwest-sentinel., 1894-06-26

some Of the minor writer's affect to
believe the custom antedates the
Imperial Tsins, declaring the rec
ords were lost in the universal de-
struction of literature that marked
the reign of this vandal dynasty,
B. G. 2O6.
Turning TO traditions, It is found
that the one obtaining the most
popularity and greatest credence,
evolves the custom of one Tanke,
an Infamous Empress of the 18th
century before our era, who is re-
ported to have combined the beau
ty of a Cleopatra with the morals
of Messalina. Born with de-
formed feet her personal graces
were such as 70 raise her to the
proud position of Emperor's con-
sort. All men became her devot-
ed slaves and d nj eis; yet through
all her life, from her thirteenth
+ yesr upward, she deserved her rep
utation as infamous. Exquisitely
sensitive, however, regarding the
| physical imperfection that courted
The adverse criticism of her own
sex, she cajoled her imperial lord,
who to her was as clay in the hands
of a potter, into issuing a decree
that defined clump feet and shape
less legs as models of elegance,
aud, further, required them to be
perpetuated in all females of seven
years and under, who, by birth,
would be entitled to the privileges
of the court. The distortion is
not, as commonly surmised, COM
menced in infancy, but reserved
for the period embraced by the
sixth and tenth yeais. Almost
from the moment the little one be-
gins to comprehend speech, she is
taught to look forward with expec-
tation to the distortion of her feet,
BY the completion of the act she
IS ushered into womanhood, and
becomes manageable, regardless
of mental or physical development
or fitness for the duties of mater.
nifty. The torture, aud it is nc
less, is instituted amid relatives
and friends especially hidden fol
the occasion, and to do honor tC
the feast that follows. From two
to Eve years are required to bring
the deformity to the acme of Gel
estial perfection, during whicl
time the little one is positively
never for an instant free from e&
cruciating suffering; and the an
guish which condemns her to spent
alike her waking and sleeping
hours in a recumbent position
with legs dangling over the hare
edge of the couch-that circula
ton may be impeded sufficient,
to benumb the parts may be bet
ter imagined than described. New
er by any accident are the feet per
, mitted to touch the ground, les
the process of molding be inter
fered wilh;and by disuse and laps
Of time, the muscles from the kne
! down pecome fiabby and incapable
! of responding to efforts of the will
AS a sequel to this treatment, ",
find not only a shapeless leg ant
anchylosed joints, but also dis
placement of articular relations o
every bone in the foot, those of tn
great toe, perhaps, excepted, witt
loss of all natural form and con
tour. During life the bandnge j
never discontinued once its use i
begun. Child, maid, matron o
widow, the wraps supply the de
mand that is met by hose anon
, the fair ones Of the western lands
Tie removal of the bandages, too
10 matter of some hesitation, sine
re-appIication requires the servie
of an expert; hence the "beaut
feet" are Q posed to the air an
action of cleansing fluids as infr'
3 quently as is consistent with th
texture Of their coverings.
|, Buffalo has 10000 Poles. liviu