THE
ART AND MYSTERY
of
A CORDWAINER.
THE FIRST PART.
On the making of Boots and Shoes, Men's and Women’s.
TO THE TRADE.
I FLATTER. myself that you will find the whole of this work disposed of in that regular and natural order which the young beginners are generally taught in the various branches of the trade.
Some may think that I might have left out the
subjects of making thread and wax, as in large towns and cities they do not
occupy the care of the trade, but are prepared by people called grinders,
who sell them with other things
called for by the trade. I grant that the trade can be supplied with these
articles; but I’ll ask, Have not the trade in large towns and cities often
complained of the badness of these materials so prepared, and that the work made
with them is too often found defective? Therefore, as they are two articles of
the most essential service in the trade, to render the work firm and wearable,
I think too much care cannot be taken to procure them of the best prepared
materials, for to answer an end so desirable
The work out of large towns and cities is required Very strong; so I think, that
in the country, the young beginners will not say that the subject is
superfluous, but that they will gladly embrace the opportunity of seeing if any
thing can be added to their former knowledge on the subject.
Therefore I begin the work with directions for preparing and making