Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ...is possible to avoid it by withdrawing or diverting the toes while still holding the ground with the other foot. If there be no impediment: if good foot-hold for the toes and front part of the foot be found, it will afford a bearing. On this bearing the walker can spring if any sharp object come in contact with the sole of the hinder part of the foot. Moreover, the heel, coming last, is the least sensitive part of the sole. On the other hand, if the heel reach the ground first, it is a poor guide as to the nature of the foothold. Let us assume it to have come on a good surface, but that the point where the tread will fall is occupied by a sharp object, unsuspected. In that case, when the weight of the body falls on it, recovery is impossible: one can't spring backwards on to the heel as one can forwards on to the toes. Let anyone try to walk blind-fold about a room strewed with tin-tacks. It can be done if you feel the ground first with the toes, not otherwise. It is idle to meet this by saying that for walking among tin-tacks it would be better to walk on tiptoe altogether--this was the reply actually made, in print, by a critic.--The question is, what is the best means of walking where sharp objects are unexpected, but liable to be? Nor is it sufficient to say that pointing the toes downwards is an "affected " mode of walking. That is a matter of taste. It is the natural walk of at least some of the highest types of savages. "We are at liberty to prefer seeing the toes first touch the ground, and held down to it by tendons of muscles, which allow the heel to descend smoothly and firmly. We may think that this is better than using the foot as if it were indeed a rocker, or as if it were the plantigrade foot of a bear. Let...
