6 JANUARY 1923, Page 33

THE ROMANCE OF THE SHOE. By Tle)mas Wright. (Farncombe and

Sons. 12s. 6d. net.)

The main value of this anecdotal book lies in the repro- ductions of curious woodcuts and drawings. For the rest, it is formless but diverting. A history of the shoe trade has not been attempted before, and Mr. Wright recounts its progress from Apollo Sandalarius to Mr. William Barran. Incidentally he recounts tales of many notable men who have been connected with the trade. The list includes St.. Crispin, Whittier, Praise-God Barebones, George Fox, Jacob Boehme, Noah Webster, and Robert Bloomfield— a good list for any trade.