laim beyond that which
you are disposed to put upon it is held, so that any communication will
be gladly received and noted. This opportunity is also taken to express
thanks for some valuable suggestions from the U. S. Bureau of Education,
and others, concerning the publication of this little volume, and in its
present shape you are invited to read and make the best use of it you
can.

Author.

[Illustration]

The subject, seated on a chair,
One knee the other to rest,
Has his measure taken fair,
The foot at ease is best.
The Artist views the foot,
And straightway takes the length,
By measuring it from heel to toe,
His _size_ brings content.
From twelve to eighteen inches long--
This _stick_ has many _sizes_;
Three to the inch is now our song,
Subject to compromises.
Some feet have long toes behind--
In the language of the _craft_;
These are not so hard to find,
And oft to us been waft.
Our Artist here will best succeed,
If a little head he can measure,
For out of that comes very much
To make the feet a treasure.

[Illustration]

Next, around the heel a strap we bring,
To the centre of the curve,
A leather or linen _strap_ is used,
And don't affect the nerve.

The marks on this an inch represents,
Also fractions of inch preserved;
When made complete it then presents
An appearance well deserved.

Around the heel, I've already said,
But that is not quite so;
For around in part and through instead
Will make it more the go.

Now let us here make up our minds,
If this trade we would study,
That the _craft_ is subject to many fines
If the subject gets very _muddy_.

[Illustration]

With strap in hand the _instep_ measure--
Be sure you get it right;
For at this place some have a treasure,
Which prompts them oft to fight.

A little _lump_ we will it now call,
Not knowing the exact name of it;
Nor let our _strap_ the least bit fall,
But measure just above it.

When we've done this, and done quite well,
Another move will follow,
Which takes us nearly on the _ball_,
And brings us from the _hollow_.

[Illustration]

From the _hollow_ now we've just come out,
With strap in hand to take
The measure neat, near on the _ball_,
So that our _fits_ won't shake.

If they should shake the remedy comes,
A false sole we do make,
To