SHOEMAKERS MACHINE for working at in a standing posture. A machine for this purpose was invented by Mr Thomas Parker, who, on the 22d of November, 1804, attended a committee appointed by the Society of Arts, and informed them that he had made use of this apparatus for twelve months, and found it very useful. He observed that all the work of shoemaking may be done with it standing; but that in some parts thereof he found an advantage in using along with it a high stool; and that prior to the use of this machine, he never saw or heard of a similar invention; and that he found it of great service to his health.

He estimated the cost of such a machine at two guineas.

Plate CCCCXCVI. fig. 1. T, a bench standing on four legs, about four feet from the ground.

V, A circular cushion affixed to the bench, in the centre of which cushion is an open space quite through the bench, through which hole a leather strap U is brought up from below. This strap holds the work and last firm upon the cushion in any position required, by means of the workman's foot placed upon the treadle W.

X, Shews the last upon the cushion, with the strap holding it firm.

Y, An implement used in closing boots.

Z, A small flat leather cushion, useful in adjusting the last and strap.

L, The shoe-last shewn separate from the cushion. The round cushion is formed of a circular piece of wood, covered with leather or stuffed with wool or hair to give it some elasticity.

Another machine for the same purpose has been invented by Mr Holden of Fettleworth in Sussex, and the following account of it was presented to the Society of Arts. He observes that the fitting posture had so greatly injured his health, as to render it necessary to give up his business, and in this difficulty he invented the machine which he found to answer the purpose fully, as it enabled him to resume his work with the recovery of his health. He recommends it as the quickest way of closing all the thread work, and he adds, that he has made 1800 or 2000 pairs of shoes with the machine, and still continues to employ it. The following is a description of the machine.

Fig. 2. A, the bed for the closing block, and to lay the shoe in, whilst sewing.

B, The closing block.

C, A loose bed to lay the shoe in whilst stitching; the lower part of which is here exhibited reversed, to shew how it is placed in the other bed A.

D, The hollow or upper part of the loose bed C, in which the shoe is laid while stitching.

E, A table on which the tools wanted are to be laid.

F, An iron semicircle, fixed to each end of the bed A, to allow the bed to be raised or depressed. This half circle moves in the block G.

H, Another iron semicircle, with notches, which catch upon a tooth in the centre of the block, to hold the bed in any angle required. This semicircle moves likewise on two hooks in staples at each end of the bed.

I, The tail or stem of the bed A, moving in a cylindrical hole in the pillar, enabling the bed to be turned in any required direction, and which, with the movement F, enables the operator to place the shoe in any position necessary.

K, the pillar, formed like the pillar of a clawtable, excepting the two side legs being in a direct line, and the other leg at a right angle with them.

L, The semicircle H, shewn separately, to explain how it is connected with the staples, and how the notches are formed.

M, The tail or stem of the bed A, and the lower part of the bed N, shewn separately, to explain how the upper part of the bed is raised or depressed occasionally.

Horfe-SHOE. See FARRIERY, No 131.