The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-05-23
ABOUT SHOES.
Uncle Sarn's Collection of Shoes.
Rene Bache, IN Eor,card.

stored lu Gu3 NdtluubI Mu5SSut az
probably the largest in the world.
That it is extremely interesting goes
without saying, inasmuch as it affords
a sort of bird's-eye view of all the
races of mankind, IS they now are and
as they formerly were. For what is
there that may be said to express more
vividly the traits and habits Of peo-
ple than their foot gear? Their shoes
are modified Of necessity by the con-
ditions Of their environment, both in
material and in form, and one might
make descriptive chronological map
Of the whole world by properly arrang-
ing a series of boots, slippers, sandals,
ct cetera.
Of course, taere are many people
that use no shoes at all, and one is
surprised, on studying the subject q
bit, to discover what large percent
age of mankind goes naked-footed.
That great area Of the globe which en-
Traces Austr ala, Polynesia, and
Malaysia is, par excellence, the bare
footed region; but in Negroid Africa
likewise-that is to say, south Of the
Sahara-no sort of foo. gear is worn,
because the climate gives no reason
for it. In that part Of Africa there is
an immense amount Of going about
and trading along beaten and cleared
paths; hundreds Of thousands Of ma.
tives are ell the time tramping to the
trading stations and TO the coast, yet
they never cover their feet. This has
given rise to the use Of peculiar and
very cruel weapon known as the s'foot-
path splinter. = Small splints OF cane
are sharpened, cut nearly in two, and
stuck IN the trail. the expectation be-
ing that anybody who steps on one Of
them will be disabled.
In tropical countries the best pro-
tected foot is bare foot, with Q SAN.
dal to prevent the stubbing Of the
toes, and this is SO because ia hot
latitudes there are many pcstifero1s
insects which get into the shoe or
boot, to find protection from observa-
tion and chance to bite at leisure.
1t is the custom in many countries TO
take off ones shoes before entering
house, and this is regarded as cere-
mony Of respect. Agood Mohamme-
dan always does it ss q matter Of
course before going into mosque. n
olden times both priest and worshipers
removed their shoes ION occaaions of
religious ceremonial; and one finds
barefooted men and women glori6ed in
art. Old and yonng insneiens Egypt
almost always zen. lbaz 81 css!s
the rich, though Glad in theg most
costly costumes. 81
Professor Otis r, Mason, Who has
charge Of the collection herein dessri-
bed,, says that the sandalis. the most
primitive form Of shoe; in fact, o shoe.
is merely . sandal that has grown 1p p
over the feet. The ancient HshsaR
wore sandal With sela De leaI ar,s
felt, cloth. or woad siopaiI Y s6tsi-:
fed with iron. Theirs 81. She Asyy-i
rian Of hisi rank likswise, iras i sole
Of wood or thick leather Some of the,
III n :
sandals y, worn by; the homans of q old. 'A'
were OF ieave .ss4l sana s.. U 1oyen Z to5 IS
se'ler, Ine asoo king ls e compasars e. M
LIVERY recent Anyensio q p salng 70 real real
IVY sc5sSi inner snoe designed s.. as g
pf0tection AGAINST g lamp ll ess and sud
aen changes @ ste tenn peEature. 4 N Tibet
anu Aashm!r the stoe eksngs commonly
worn illustrate this idea !s very plainly,
Oslne made q moro cco 'iaather. When 60
man comes Into 5knh house ne taE Ees
OF his soiled and heavy boots, and d: his
4ieet are SILL clad IN neat coverings Of