Royal and Historic Gloves and Shoes. By W. B. Redfern.
(Methuen and Co. 22 2s. net.)—Mr. Redfern divides this very handsome and interesting volume nearly equally between gloves and shoes. Historically and artistically the gloves make the better subject. Among the specimens of footgear, curious as they are, there is nothing which can be ranked with the gloves of William of Wykeham, probably worn at the dedication of Now College, Oxford, where they are kept, being in a wonderful state of preservation. Next to these in antiquity come gloves of Henry VI.; there are three pairs of Henry VIII.'s, a pair of Queen Elizabeth's, a single glove of Mary, Queen of Scots, and, if they are to be accepted, a pair of Shakespeare's. King Charles I. and Oliver Cromwell are also represented in this way. When we come to boots and shoes we find Henry VI., Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth of Bohemia, Charles I., and Queen Anne. Among the most curious is a gentleman's boot with a heel six inches high. The illustrations are of the best kind.
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