or Cordiners, the term whereby the statutes denominate shoemakers. The word is formed from the French cordonnier, which Menage derives from corduano, a kind of leather brought from Cordova, whereof they formerly made the upper leathers of their shoes. Others derive it from corde "rope," because anciently shoes were made of cords; as they still are in some parts of Spain, under the name of alpargatas. But the former etymology is better warranted; for, in effect, the French workmen who prepare the corduans are still called corduani-

ners.

In Paris they have two pious societies under the titles of freres cordoniens, "brothers shoemakers," established by authority towards the middle of the 17th century; the one under the protection of St Crispin*, the other of St Crispianus, two saints who had formerly honoured the profession. They live in community, and under fixed statutes and officers; by which they are directed both in their spiritual and secular concerns. The produce of their shoes goes into a common stock, to furnish necessaries for their support; the rest to be distributed among the poor.