PLATE no. V
The Greig Collection.

This valuable collection is the property of T. Watson Greig, Esq., of Glencarse, N.B., to whom the author is indebted for much valuable information in the writing of this work. It was the object of great admiration at the Cordwainers’ Exhibition, comprising as it does so many boots and shoes of great historic interest. Some of the choicest are illustrated in the accompanying plate.

No. 24. Shoe of Lady Mary Mordaunt, the material of which is closely-spotted black silk. The shoe, which has sharp and elongated toes, is without bow, tie, or straps, and has a plain appearance; and its low heel makes it partake rather too much of the nature of a slipper.

No. 20. Shoe of Miss Langley, who lived in the reign of Charles II. Made of pale silk, most beautifully embroidered, the shoe may be considered as a chef-d'oeuvre in shoe manufacture of the times, while the lace is of an elegant pattern. In the centre of the lace trimming, on the instep, is a single pearl. Its general appearance is very pretty and graceful, and reflects great credit on the shoemakers of that period.

No. 23. Shoe of Lillias, daughter of the 12th Earl of Eglinton, and was worn by her at her marriage, about the middle of the eighteenth century. It is made of lavender-coloured kid, with slashes of white satin let "in" in front, forming a pattern narrow at the toe, and widening towards the instep. The bottom of the heel is in the form of a heart, which peculiarity cannot be observed in the illustration, though perfectly apparent in the original. The height of the heel is about an inch, and the toe is pointed. About 1790 a change came over the fashion of ladies’ shoes; they were made with low quarters and very flat and low heels, and finished with plaited ribbon and small tie in front in place of the buckle, which began to be occasionally discontinued. The Duchess of York at this time was remarkable for the smallness of her foot ; it measured 5¾ inches in length, the breadth of the sole being only 1¾. inches. A shoe she wore was made of green silk ornamented with gold stars, bound with scarlet silk the heel scarlet, and the shape similar to the shoe described above.

No. 21. Shoe of Grace, only daughter of Fletcher Norton, Speaker of the House of Commons, and afterwards created Lord Grantley; married John Charles, Earl of Portsmouth. This shoe was found amongst the effects of the late Lady Menzies of Menzies, who had received it from her aunt, and was worn by the Countess of Portsmouth with fancy dress. It is made of pale silk striped with blue, and is richly embroidered in steel beads. The form and style is apparently that of the eighteenth century. The inside is beautifully finished, being lined with pale pink silk and white kid. The toe is pointed, and the heel, which is of wood and very large, is covered with the same material as the shoe.

No. 22. This shoe belonged to Anna Frances, wife of Walter Woodcock, and daughter of William Lea, of Halesowen Grange, Shropshire, by Frances his wife, granddaughter of Edward Ward, Lord Dudley, and Frances his wife, daughter of Sir William Brereton, Hart. Mrs. Woodcock was consequently great-granddaughter of Frances, Lady Dudley, and lived in the beginning of the last century.

The stuff of which the shoe is composed is fine spotted silk brocade of a yellowish colour, and ornamented with a pattern of pale blue silk embroidery above the toe. The shoe was worn with a buckle, has a small heel and round pointed toe.

No. 25. This large-buckled shoe was worn in the reign of Queen Anne, though unfortunately the owner’s name is unascertainable.

The material is pink silk; the embroidery in silks and metallic threads is very rich, and the colours wonderfully preserved. The heel is of an immense height and breadth, and the toe is so extravagantly pointed that it must have projected for a considerable distance beyond the foot.