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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75415 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+  Transcriber’s Note
+  Italic text displayed as: _italic_
+
+
+
+
+  SPECTACLE
+
+  SECRETS.
+
+  BY GEORGE COX.
+
+  SECOND EDITION.
+
+  LONDON:
+  PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 128, HOLBORN HILL;
+  AND SOLD BY
+  COX, 100, NEWGATE STREET;
+  HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW;
+  COX, 5, BARBICAN;
+  AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS AND OPTICIANS.
+  1844.
+
+
+
+
+BASINGSTOKE:—PRINTED BY ROBERT COTTLE.
+
+[Illustration: No. 1.]
+
+[Illustration: No. 2.]
+
+[Illustration: No. 3.
+
+_Anti Pressure_
+
+_Solid_
+
+_Blue Steel._]
+
+[Illustration: No. 4.]
+
+[Illustration: No. 5.]
+
+[Illustration: No. 6.]
+
+[Illustration: No. 7.]
+
+[Illustration: No. 8.]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+Every effort of human ingenuity professing to remove or lessen pain
+and inconvenience, is, naturally enough, hailed with approbation, and
+the public require not so much to be aroused to estimate fully the
+advantages proposed, as to be guarded against implicit belief and
+heedless confidence in the value and importance of the remedy. It
+is, however, of the utmost importance to be accurately informed what
+kind of benefit we may fairly expect from the use of the given means,
+and to what extent this benefit may be obtained; and yet the man who
+steps forward to state this plainly and fairly, too often fails of
+the success which his undertaking deserves. Experience proves that
+such endeavours have been contemned by some, looked upon with cold
+indifference by others, and viewed with suspicion by nearly all. We
+are too apt to suspect interested motives, to doubt the sincerity, and
+undervalue the abilities of men, who have devoted their lives, and the
+force of their talents, to a particular pursuit; and then, as though
+this cunning incredulity was closely allied to implicit credence in the
+wildest chimeras, we become ready listeners, and passive victims, to
+pompous and plausible charlatans, who make the largest promises, alike
+indifferent to the practicability or usefulness of their specifics.
+“It is a great mistake,” said an able English statesman of the last
+century, “to suppose men harmless because they are blockheads; the
+dunce thinks neither of country nor of consequences in the pursuit of
+his petty interests and passions, which may, and often do, lead him to
+work the greatest public calamities.”
+
+I have refrained from advancing any crude theoretical opinions, which
+might fairly be questioned. The information conveyed in these pages is
+of a practical character; has stood the purifying test of time; and,
+being based upon the immutable principles of optical science, courts
+every enquiry and challenges all investigation.
+
+My object has been to provide the public with a compendium of sound and
+standard information on this most interesting and essential subject, in
+order that, possessing themselves of the truth, and becoming conversant
+with the real merits of the question, they may no longer be the victims
+of ignorant, designing, and knavish speculators, who so mercilessly
+practise on their credulity. I have freely availed myself of facts and
+observations with which I have become familiar in the course of my own
+experience and connexion with an establishment of more than one hundred
+years’ standing, and, at the same time, have endeavoured to condense in
+one publication the essence of many voluminous treatises.
+
+“It is only by condensing, simplifying, and arranging in the most lucid
+manner possible, the acquired knowledge of past generations, that those
+to come can be enabled to avail themselves to the full of the advanced
+point from which they will start.”
+
+I have only to add, that though I would not desire to offend the
+critical acumen of any of my readers, yet, having but little leisure,
+and those moments of rest being snatched from the busy whirl of
+commercial pursuits, I have been much more anxious to give solid
+information in language universally understood, and divested of
+technicalities, than to employ nice set terms, chosen to please the
+critic’s curious ear.
+
+  GEORGE COX.
+
+The first edition of this work having found a ready sale, spite of
+all the opposition and abuse lavished against it by the itinerant
+_opticians_, I have reprinted it with such improvements as the kindness
+of friends and my own experience have suggested.
+
+  128, HOLBORN HILL, LONDON,
+  _January, 1844_.
+
+
+
+
+Reviewers’ Opinions of this Work.
+
+
+“The information which this little book contains is really very good
+and very applicable to the instruction both of the short-sighted, who
+never reflect before they buy, and of the very long-sighted, who, from
+excess of cunning in the search of great bargains, are, like our friend
+Moses in the Vicar of Wakefield, open to very _gross_ impositions in
+the matter of spectacles and their very _chagrin_ cases. Those who are
+not opticians or oculists will do well to read the book before they
+commit themselves in the purchase of glasses either from itinerant or
+stationary quacks. But this is not all: though a simple monograph of
+the frauds of one trade, the book may be generalized into “a manual
+of the whole art of puffing,” and an exposure of the silly credulity
+of the public in all its branches. Mr. Cox also discloses some of the
+machinery of newspaper puffing in a way which almost tempts us to
+claim it as “our thunder,” it is so much in unison with our published
+opinions on the subject.”
+
+  _Athenæum._
+
+“In this well-written work Mr. Cox has given a popular description of
+the eye, and the adaptation of spectacles to correct constitutional
+defects or organic disease: by attention to a few simple rules which he
+lays down, any one may effectually fortify himself against the artful
+representations of dishonest dealers in spectacles “made to sell.” The
+public is indebted to Mr. Cox for having exposed the tricks of the
+insidious marauders in several towns in which they were practising
+their impositions, and his tract contains some correspondence between
+him and several eminent surgeons, from which it appears that they had
+been represented as vouching for pretended improvements in spectacles,
+of which they either knew nothing at all, or with regard to which they
+themselves had been deceived by the fraudulent pretenders.”
+
+  _Christian Advocate._
+
+“This is a useful little work, treating on a subject of universal
+importance—namely, defining the laws by which deficiency of sight can
+be assisted, founded on scientific principles, and aided by extensive
+observation in a long practice; we would recommend a perusal of
+the pamphlet to such as are about to seek the aid of the maker of
+spectacles.”
+
+  _Morning Advertiser._
+
+“This little _brochure_ is correct, ingenious, and useful: moreover,
+it is valuable as exposing the gross ignorance, impostures, and frauds
+of Jews, pedlars, and other locomotive quacks. The humbug of _amber_
+spectacles, _coloured_ pebbles, clarified crystals, &c., is here
+thoroughly exploded. Altogether the information in this pamphlet is
+well deserving of attention.”
+
+  _Aldine Magazine._
+
+“An amusing exposure of the puffing and swindling systems pursued by
+some self-styled opticians, from which besides may be gathered a good
+deal of sound, practical information.”
+
+  _Era._
+
+“If every body’s sight were impaired, we should strongly hope that this
+little treatise would become universally known; but as we have reason
+to believe there are some people in the world who can see a little, we
+shall only address ourselves to the former, to whom we can confidently
+recommend the perusal of this talented work. Besides a great deal of
+necessary and sound information on the use and nature of spectacles, we
+find a number of _exposés_ of the tricks pursued by many unprincipled
+persons styling themselves opticians, which is put forth by the author
+in a very distinct manner.”
+
+  _Blackwood’s Lady’s Magazine._
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+  CHAPTER I.
+
+                                                                   Page.
+
+  Invention of Spectacles and Burning Glasses                          1
+
+  Examination of Opticians—Artful Impositions                          2
+
+  Duke of Wellington and the Bubble Schemes                            4
+
+  Basis of Optical Knowledge—Physiology of the Eyes                    6
+
+
+  CHAPTER II.
+
+  Failure of Sight and the Application of Spectacles                  10
+
+  Lenses—how to determine their Focal Lengths                         12
+
+  Brazil Pebbles—Periscopic and Parallel Lenses—Process of            13
+
+  Working—Tests of Quality—and Experiment                             14
+
+  Railroad Spectacles—Neutral Tint Shades                             16
+
+  Country-made Spectacles—Trial Box of Sight                          18
+
+
+  CHAPTER III.
+
+  A Visit to the Optician—Rules for selecting Spectacles              21
+
+  Spectacle Frames—Russian Remedy for Short Sight                     24
+
+  Solid Blue Steel Spectacles                                         26
+
+  Anti-pressure Spectacles—Single Eye Glasses injurious               27
+
+  Prices of Spectacles                                                28
+
+
+  CHAPTER IV.
+
+  Specious Quackery—Testimonial Writers                               30
+
+  Amber Spectacles analysed—Puffing Advertisement                     33
+
+  Opinions of Dr. Neill Arnott, Dollond, Curtis, &c.                  34
+
+  Absurdity and Ignorance of Puffing Advertisers,                     36
+
+
+  CHAPTER V.
+
+  Instances of Gross Imposition—Clarified Crystals and
+  Coloured Pebbles!                                                   37
+
+  Naval and Military Officers—Definition of LAW                       39
+
+  Ladies and Spectacles—Persevering Roguery                           41
+
+  An Old Clothes Man Metamorphosed                                    43
+
+
+  CHAPTER VI.
+
+  Specimens of Puffing Advertisements,                                44
+
+  Royal Patronage—Cataract Alarmists                                  45
+
+  Abstract of Act of Parliament                                       46
+
+  Newspaper Paragraphs,                                               50
+
+
+  CHAPTER VII.
+
+  Provincial and Metropolitan Scheming                                52
+
+  Public Cautions—Tricks at Brighton                                  56
+
+  Liverpool Mercury—Parabolic Cheats                                  60
+
+
+  CHAPTER VIII.
+
+  Correspondence with the Duke of Wellington                          61
+
+  —— Frederick Tyrell, Esq. J. Hodson, Esq.                           62
+
+  Signatures of J. Soden, Esq., J. F. Ledsam, Esq.,
+  —— Alexander, Esq.                                                  64
+
+  Correspondence with Robert Keate, Esq.                              64
+
+  Pretended Discoveries, Humorous Scraps, &c.                         66
+
+
+
+
+SPECTACLE SECRETS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ “Science should be stripped of every thing that tends to clothe it
+ in a strange and repulsive garb, and especially every thing that, to
+ keep up an appearance of superiority in its professors over the rest
+ of mankind, assumes an unnecessary guise of profundity and obscurity,
+ should be sacrificed without mercy.”—SIR I. F. W. HERSCHEL.
+
+
+Spectacles and side-saddles, we are quaintly informed, became common
+in England in the reign of Richard the Second. The ancients, however,
+knew the power of burning-glasses, and one cunning rogue, we are told,
+discovered a new way to pay old debts, by means of a round stone
+or glass used in lighting of fires, with which he melted the bond,
+written, as usual in those days, on wax. Their burning glasses were
+spheres, either solid or full of water, their foci were consequently
+very short and confused. A long interval occurred before spectacles
+were constructed, and three hundred years elapsed between the invention
+of spectacles and telescopes.
+
+Our eyes should have our nicest and most tender care, since it is by
+them we are familiarized with objects of the most exquisite interest
+and beauty, abounding on the earth we inhabit, and in the starry
+firmament above us:—
+
+    “My soul, while Nature’s beauties feast mine eyes,
+     To Nature’s God contemplative shall rise.”—DODSLEY.
+
+The faculty of sight should be estimated and regarded by us with more
+than ordinary care, when we reflect that it is the medium through
+which the most exalted and gratifying impressions are received; and
+our watchful regard to its healthful preservation and agreeable
+exercise is the more required from the consideration, that while to its
+admirable organization and delicate sense of perception we stand so
+much indebted, those very qualities render it extremely sensitive to
+injudicious treatment.
+
+It would be a wholesome, fair, and proper regulation, to restrain all
+from practising as opticians but those practically conversant with
+the production and application of lenses for the purpose of aiding
+the exercise of sight. It is considered indispensable for the surgeon
+and medical practitioner to prepare for his profession by a course
+of study, reading, and practical operations, and to be subjected to
+an ordeal where his capabilities are examined and tested. Such an
+arrangement, though it _may_ sometimes be abused, guarantees to us
+practitioners who understand their duties; and thus are the many “ills
+which human flesh is heir to” alleviated and subdued, while those
+unfortunates who are practised upon by the empiric and miracle-monger,
+have their calamities aggravated, and their sufferings increased.
+
+It is a question often mooted, how far it is the duty of a just and
+equal government to interfere in such cases for the protection of
+its subjects: this, however, is evident, that whatever restrictive
+laws are framed, if they are attempted to be enforced while a want
+of information prevails upon the subject, the very people for whose
+benefit and protection they are introduced, will, likely enough, view
+them with distrust and suspicion, and, until the imposition has been
+unmasked, will look upon those who have assumed characters not their
+own, as persecuted individuals, entitled to their sympathy rather than
+their detestation. It is by diffusing information, and clearing away
+obscurity, that we shall erect the best safeguard against delusion.
+Those who are ignorant are consequently credulous, superstitious,
+and undefended against the tricks and subtleties of the artful and
+designing.
+
+If a book is published, our opinion is almost insensibly influenced
+by what the reviewers say of it. If a new association, a company, or
+enterprise of any kind is projected, we look to the list of directors,
+committee, and patrons. Our education and universal custom induces us
+to pay deference to those whom we suppose to be possessed of superior
+information, to be men of character and reputation, and entitled, from
+their position in society, to be regarded with respect.
+
+These legitimate feelings have been so poisoned and tampered with by
+those who have designedly entered into a conspiracy to hoodwink the
+people, and share the plunder; and again by the hardly less criminal
+apathy of others, who, without dividing the spoil, have suffered the
+trickery to pass unexposed; that professional and literary men cannot
+but perceive distrust and want of confidence in their decisions, now
+becoming general among the reflecting and intelligent classes of
+society, who see that they have been trifled with, and treated as
+credulous dupes, and that they really have no guarantee for the merits
+of a production, the purity of a proposal, or the honesty or propriety
+of any measure to which distinguished names and lofty patronage are
+appended. The exposé of the practices of the railway, mining, and other
+bubble schemes illustrates this truth; and the secrets elicited during
+the discussion on Mr. Serjeant Talfourd’s Copyright Bill, clearly
+demonstrate how infamously the confidence of “a generous public” has
+been abused.[1]
+
+The great and benevolent men who existed before us, and devoted their
+time and contemplations to the interesting science of optics, have
+fully and clearly demonstrated the laws which regulate the action of
+light, the cause and effect of luminous phenomena, and the principles
+upon which vision depends. We have the conclusive and unvarying
+results of their numberless experiments, performed under every
+modification of circumstances, to guide us in establishing principles
+and rules of action, which the studious and practical opticians of our
+own times have tested, and, ascertaining them to be free from error,
+now adopt and act upon them.
+
+The captious and consequential may complain of this admission,
+as tending to detract from the importance with which they might
+otherwise be regarded; but the optician, who deserves that name, is
+not anxious to array himself in borrowed plumage, nor to appropriate
+as his own that which rightfully belongs to others. Granted that we
+act upon settled and incontrovertible philosophical principles, is
+it not infinitely more gratifying to have the assurance of a correct
+result, than to be for ever experimentalizing without arriving at a
+satisfactory conclusion? The skilful surgeon and the talented engineer
+are guided in their operations by certain fixed and universal laws,
+yet no one will dispute that to perform the duties of either of those
+professions requires much application, skill, and expertness. Precisely
+so with the optician of the present day. He has fixed, universal, and
+certain data for his operations; and it is upon his intimate knowledge
+of these, and the careful and judicious application of them, that his
+success depends.
+
+When the healthy powers of vision begin to fail, we feel a tender
+and anxious concern to perpetuate the enjoyment we find to be so
+intimately dependent upon the uninterrupted exercise of sight, and
+are instinctively led to seek for a remedy. Much mischief will be
+avoided, and misapprehension removed, if we consider that in applying
+artificial aid to the eye, we have to do with one of our most
+sensitive and easily deranged organs. The human eye is composed of
+a series of humours and membranes: the outer coating, called the
+_sclerotica_ (_a_), see _Plate, Fig. 1_, is exceedingly strong, and
+the muscles which move the eye are attached to it; the white of the
+eye is a portion of this coating. The _cornea_ (_b_) arches out or
+projects from the eye-ball; it is transparent, and of a circular form.
+The next coating to the sclerotica is called the _choroides_ (_c_);
+it has no muscular motion except at its extremities, near the front
+of the eye. The _iris_ (_d_) is next apparent; it attaches itself to
+the sclerotica by a cellular substance called the _ciliary circle_
+(_e_). According to the colour of the iris the eye is termed black,
+blue, hazel, &c. It is composed of two sets of muscular fibres, the one
+tending, like radii, towards a centre, the other forming a number of
+circles concentric with the same centre. The aperture in the iris is
+called the _pupil_ (_f_); it is always round, but varies in diameter
+as the radial or the circular fibres of the iris are contracted
+or expanded, according to the quantity and quality of light it is
+required to admit, acting like a watchful centinel to regulate the
+amount of rays requisite to transmit a perfect and well-defined image
+of objects onwards to the brain, which, without its agency, would
+appear one undistinguishable mass of confusion. The chamber of the eye
+is darkened by the posterior surface of the choroid membrane having
+a lining of dark-coloured mucus, called the _pigmentum nigrum_. The
+last coating of the eye is the _retina_ (_g_), a delicate and most
+important membrane in the construction of this noble instrument; it
+is an expansion of the _optic nerve_ (_h_), directly emanating from
+the brain; and is spread like a net of exquisite delicacy all over
+the surface of the choroides, terminating at the ciliary ligament.
+It receives the images of objects by means of the rays of light that
+enter at the pupil; it is transparent, but appears black on account of
+the dark pigmentum behind it. The optic nerve passes through a small
+aperture in the “_architectural dome_” containing the eye, and it
+conveys the impressions made on the retina into the depository of the
+brain, where the “very form and spirit of the scene is now conceived.”
+It is situated a little on one side of the centre of the eye, inclining
+towards the nose.
+
+To describe more minutely the various fibres, humours, and ciliary
+processes of the eye, or to enter more fully into its anatomical
+arrangement, would be incompatible with the design of this publication,
+which is intended for the “general reader,” and therefore so simplified
+as that it is hoped he cannot fail to understand. The three transparent
+humours enclosed by the coats of the eye, viz., the _aqueous_ (_i_),
+the _chrystalline_ (_k_), and the _vitreous_ (_l_), are, however,
+too important to be passed over without some notice. The aqueous
+(_i_) humour it is which gives a protuberant figure to the cornea
+(_b_); it has a refractive power, similar to that of water, which it
+also resembles in appearance. The chrystalline (_k_) humour is more
+transparent than the purest chrystal; its form is that of a double
+convex lens, which it also resembles in its use, as it converges the
+rays which pass through it, from every visible object to its focus on
+the retina. It is suspended in a fine transparent sheathing. The shape
+or convexity of this natural lens alters occasionally, and shifts a
+little backwards or forwards in the eye, so as to adapt its focal
+distance from the retina to the different distances of objects. The
+vitreous humour is situated at the back of the chrystalline, filling
+nearly three-fourths of the globe of the eye; it is surrounded by a
+thin capsule, which sends off a number of membranous processes into the
+vitreous substance, where they form cells, which, communicating with
+each other, give a high degree of firmness and tenacity to the whole.
+
+_Fig. 2._ represents the eye at the time when spectacles are required,
+the cornea, or the chrystalline, or both, having lost a part of their
+natural convexity, consequent upon age or constitutional weakness.
+An object placed at the same distance from the eye as in the perfect
+eye, (_Fig. 1_), has the focus carried beyond the retina. A convex
+lens applied to the eye compensates for this loss of capacity, and,
+converging the rays, corrects the focal distance, and the image is now
+imprinted naturally on the retina. The reverse of this takes place in
+the case of the short-sighted; the humours being _more_ convex than in
+the perfect eye, the rays converge in a focus _before_ they reach the
+retina. A concave lens carries the focus further on, and, by its aid,
+an object will be depicted perfectly on the retina.
+
+No. 4 represents a plano convex lens—5, a double convex—6, a plano
+concave—7, a double concave—8, a periscopic or meniscus lens.
+
+What grandeur and sublimity of contrivance is here blended with
+simplicity of action and power of expression! How indispensable to a
+full appreciation of the bounties of nature and the beauties of art by
+which we are surrounded! To be deficient of this heavenly gift is truly
+to have “wisdom at one entrance quite shut out.”
+
+Surely every consideration should influence us to treat this invaluable
+faculty with judicious care, instead of allowing it to be tortured and
+trifled with by the ignorant and unprincipled.
+
+Having surveyed the general construction, and glanced at the inimitable
+mechanism of those windows of the soul, we shall be better prepared to
+understand the reasoning, and to comprehend the principles upon which
+the science of optics is based. Those of my readers who have leisure
+to pursue this subject, will find new light, and more convincing
+illustrations attend their enquiry at every step. It is a subject
+abounding in beauty and interest, introducing us to new regions of
+sublimity and grandeur, where the contemplative mind will assuredly
+find “ample scope and verge enough” to gratify its most exalted
+anticipations. We have seen the admirable, yet at the same time
+delicate contrivances by which the functions of the eyes are performed.
+It cannot fail to have occurred to us, that a machine so beautiful and
+complete is liable to derangement and improper treatment by the wayward
+and the ignorant. If it is desirable that a person possessed of a
+well-constructed watch should understand its general action, and know
+what treatment it should have to keep it in sound and underanged order,
+still more essential is it that every individual should possess a clear
+and familiar knowledge of the nature of vision, and understand the
+requirements of the eyes. I cannot forbear indulging a sanguine hope
+that the circulation of this little manual will open the eyes of its
+readers to the simple facts of the case, and animate them to think and
+judge for themselves, instead of giving a ready ear to the marvellous
+and ridiculous tales, which, though, like the sailor’s tough yarn,
+so often told that the cheat believes them himself, are nevertheless
+utterly devoid of truth.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] In the month of August, 1838, the solicitor to the Duke of
+Wellington waited upon Sir Frederick Roe, at Bow-street, in reference
+to the use which had been made of his grace’s name by “The London
+Equitable Loan Company.” A gentleman, who was desirous of purchasing
+shares in the company, seeing the Duke of Wellington mentioned as
+patron, and that the account of the company was kept with the Bank of
+England, wrote to the Duke to ascertain if it were true that he was
+connected with the concern? The duke never had consented to become a
+patron, but, on the contrary, when asked to do so, answered that he was
+so situated that he could not comply with their request. On receiving
+the communication the duke wrote to Sir F. Roe, to see what could be
+done to guard the public against any transaction which might be entered
+into in consequence of the use made of his name; and in answer to a
+letter written by him to the Bank of England, he was informed “that no
+such company was known there, nor had they any account of the London
+Equitable Loan Company.” The publicity given to this manœuvre has no
+doubt saved many a family from enthralment and destitution.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ “The subject is of universal importance, since every man, woman, and
+ child in the empire will probably require optical assistance.”—ABBOTT.
+
+
+The eyes, when in a sound and healthy state, instinctively adjust
+themselves at a distance of twelve inches from a book or paper, when
+they are observing the same. This distance is found to be most natural
+and agreeable; for when we extend it to sixteen, twenty, or thirty
+inches, the chrystalline lens is stimulated to keep a distinct and
+clear perception, until, as the distance increases, the object becomes
+less and less perceptible. When we are compelled to extend this natural
+distance, experience difficulty in reading small characters, or find
+it necessary to get more light on what we are observing, we may safely
+conclude that artificial assistance is needed, and that, judiciously
+applied, the tendency to decay will be mildly arrested.
+
+The design of spectacles is to supply the loss of power which is
+experienced by the eyes at different periods of life, and arising from
+various causes. These productions of art are constructed with a close
+observance to, and act upon, the same principles as those by which the
+process of vision is regulated.
+
+Spectacles ought not to do more than maintain or preserve to us the
+capability of seeing at the natural distance. This is, in fact, all
+they are intended to effect. When the chrystalline lens of the eye,
+losing its convexity, fails to converge the rays of light, and bring
+them to their natural focus on the retina, an artificial lens, of
+suitable convexity, supplies to it this capability, and compensates for
+its gradual diminution of capacity. Thus lenses for assisting the sight
+are fashioned upon the optical principles so apparent in the mechanism
+of the eye itself, which, it will be observed, is neither round nor
+flat, but of that nicely moulded convexity which is indispensable for
+the performance of its functions. If lenses were either spheres or
+planes they likewise would be ineffective for the purpose proposed.
+
+There is not any material in existence beside pebble and glass, which
+is calculated for spectacle purposes. The pretended “improvements,”
+“pellucid lenses,” “refractive transparencies,” “patent amber,”
+“chrystal preservers,” &c., are new-fangled terms, coined to entrap the
+uninitiated.[2]
+
+Convex lenses are produced by a series of operations through which a
+glass or pebble passes, as shaping out from the rough piece, affixing
+them to the block or frame on which they are worked, grinding their
+surfaces to the form and focus required, in brass or iron tools of the
+curvature or radius corresponding. Thus to produce a glass or pebble of
+any given focal length, we use a tool which is a portion of a sphere
+or globe of four, five, ten, or any other given radius, or half its
+diameter. For spectacles usually required, the focus of the pebble or
+glass, thus fashioned, varies from sixty inches down to five inches.
+The focus of a convex or magnifying glass is ascertained very readily,
+thus: hold the lens near to a white surface, as a sheet of writing
+paper, pinned to the side of the apartment opposite to the window;
+shift the lens gently backwards and forwards, until the objects before
+it, as the window frames, flower pots, or the Venetian blinds, are seen
+inverted upon the paper, clearly and distinctly measure the distance
+from the paper to the lens, and this distance is the focus: or, by
+placing a candle at the distance of twelve feet from the paper, and
+measuring, as before, when the reflected image of the flame is shown
+most accurately on the paper, we again have the focus denoted. The one
+method is as much practised as the other; though, in ordering a lens of
+a given focus, I would recommend a person always to state the method by
+which he has determined the focus; whether by the sun, or candlelight,
+which will prevent any mistake arising from the disparity between the
+two plans pursued.
+
+Concave lenses are made upon the same principle, and pass through
+similar processes. They are designated by numbers, thus: a concave
+lens, worked in a tool of four-inch radius, is termed No. 12;
+five-inch, No. 10; ten-inch, No. 6. &c.
+
+To determine the radius or focus of a concave lens, apply to its
+surface a convex lens of the same focus, and holding the two together
+as one glass, between the thumb and finger, at some distance before
+the eye, give the hand a gentle motion to and fro, and if the objects
+looked at through the lenses now in contact appear fixed, equal, and of
+their natural size, then is the focus of the one correspondent to that
+of the other; but if the convex lens is not of the same focal length as
+the concave to which it is thus applied, then all objects looked upon
+will appear to shake and have a tremulous motion.
+
+Another method of ascertaining whether one concave lens is of the
+same number, and worked in tools of the same radius as another, is to
+hold one in each hand, placing their edges against each other, with
+their centres in a parallel line; now withdraw ten or twelve feet
+from the window, and observe the top and bottom bars of a square of
+glass: if they appear equal and uniform in all their parts, parallel
+to each other, and agreeing with the other squares in the window, then
+are they of the same radius; but if they do not match, the bars will
+appear disjointed, and higher or lower in one square than in the other.
+The trial box of sights will be found very useful in making these
+experiments.
+
+Brazil pebbles, or crystallized quartz, are imported to this country
+in rough blocks; these are cut or slit, by the aid of pulverized
+diamond, into slabs or pieces, of the diameter required. Those pieces
+in which bubbles, waves, or blemishes appear, are thrown aside by the
+optician who is tenacious of his fair fame, as their imperfections
+become more apparent in every after-stage of their progress; and when
+polished, centred, and shaped for the spectacle-frame, they are really
+improper to be used at all; nevertheless, the needy, or dishonest,
+rather than lose a fraction of their gains, often persist in working
+up such imperfect material, and harping upon their being pebble—real
+pebble—palm them off upon the uninitiated as genuine articles. Pebbles
+have the following important advantages: they are of equal density,
+and exceedingly hard, firm, and clear; their surfaces are not liable
+to become misty or scratched (which circumstance alone often compels
+a change of glasses): they are of a pure, cool nature, and shew this
+contrast to glass (which is, on the contrary, produced by the action
+of artificial heat) in the touch of the finger or tongue to their
+surfaces.[3] They are, in consequence of these properties, calculated
+to suit the sight for a longer period than glass; but they need not be
+thrown aside, when, from the indications already referred to, we find
+an increase of magnifying power is required, as they can be re-worked
+readily enough to meet the requirement of the eyes, and at an expense
+scarcely more than a new pair of glasses, or about one-third of their
+original cost. The directions for ascertaining the focus of concave or
+convex pebbles, are the same as described for concave or convex glasses.
+
+This consideration should weigh with those who are apt to be misled
+by the pretensions of the unprincipled; for pebbles have, in common
+with many other crystals, a double refracting property, which, if the
+pebble is cut carelessly, exhibits itself by painfully affecting the
+vision; two objects, instead of one, are seen, causing a confused and
+agitating sense of indistinctness, which, in proportion to the exertion
+of the eye to overcome it, is the more tiresome and distressing. Such
+faulty and blemished articles, technically called _wasters_, are
+refused by the optician of any real respectability and character, but
+are eagerly bought up by those venders, whose object is to purchase
+what costs them the least money, alike ignorant of, and indifferent to,
+any other consideration.
+
+Pebbles, therefore, like all the precious stones, which, in fact,
+are crystals, cannot be properly cut or sliced except in a parallel
+direction to their natural faces.
+
+Periscopic or meniscus lenses were introduced in the year 1770, and
+revived at a later period by Dr. Wollaston. Their properties were
+investigated by many scientific persons, and again candidly examined
+by Mr. W. Jones; yet, notwithstanding the oblivion to which they were
+consigned by the universal consent of practical opticians, they are
+still foisted on the public, under various disguises, and embellished
+with sundry new appellations. They are concave on one side, and convex
+on the other, the inner and outer curve differing, in order to produce
+a focus. When placed in the spectacle-frame, their convex surface is
+always from the eye; this necessarily exposes their centres to be
+rubbed and scratched. The halo, or aberration of light, is greater
+in lenses of this form than in any other. This can be easily proved
+by placing a double convex, and a periscopic lens, each of the same
+diameter and focus, say one-and-a-half inch diameter, and three or four
+inch focus, edgeways together. Let the image of a lighted candle be
+thrown against a white wall or paper, in a dark situation, through the
+two lenses, and it will be conspicuously seen that the periscopic lens
+exhibits this dazzling indistinctness, while in the double convex lens
+it is scarcely perceptible.
+
+Parallel or flat surface lenses are produced from tools perfectly
+level, and without any curvature. For spectacle purposes their only use
+is as shades or shields for the eye, to protect it from the effects
+of bright and dazzling objects, dust, and wind. They are, however,
+indispensable in the construction of sextants, artificial horizons, and
+other mathematical instruments.
+
+Spectacles for travelling by rail-road, on the old beaten path, or by
+vessels, are usually fitted with parallel glasses, unless the wearer
+requires focal power as well as a screen, in which case they are of the
+concave or convex figure, before explained. Almost every combination
+of light and shade has been used for this class of spectacles; violet,
+grey, blue, green, crape, wove wire, &c.; but some sensitive and tender
+eyes failed to receive the relief expected from any of these, and
+opticians have been repeatedly baffled in their attempts to produce
+a shade of glass congenial to the requirements of the eye under such
+circumstances. I have made extensive use of the new neutral tint, or
+twilight tinge glass, and find it most agreeable to the eye while
+employing it, and when removed, it leaves the vision undisturbed by the
+flickering and confused halo so much complained of after wearing other
+coloured glasses. The cause of this superiority is clearly seen when
+we remember that, after taking off a pair of green glass spectacles,
+every object appears of a red colour, while, upon the removal of blue
+colours, an orange or yellow mantle seems to rest on all which meets
+the view.
+
+It is of consequence that all such glasses should be really parallel,
+otherwise a broken and disjointed appearance will be given to objects,
+the rays of light being abruptly dispersed instead of being transmitted
+through the transparent medium to the eye, in their natural direction.
+I have always discountenanced the use of wire, gauze, crape, and
+muslin substitutes for glass, because, in my opinion, it is a fallacy
+to assert that they are cooler and more agreeable to the eye. There
+is abundant space for the circulation of air in the region of the eye
+if the spectacle-frame adapts itself pleasantly to the wearer’s face;
+while the eye and common sense may answer together, that to look on
+things around us, a transparent medium is preferable to a hazy and
+indistinct one. We do not choose bars and gratings, or coarse curtains,
+in preference to glass, for the windows of apartments; but if the light
+is sometimes too intense, we place a shade to soften its dazzling
+effects. Such precisely is the reason why tinted glass spectacles, for
+defending the eyes from rain, dust, and wind, are recommended.
+
+Lenses worked by machinery are produced in greater quantities, within
+a given time, than those worked by hand. They are passed through the
+different stages of grinding and polishing without having the keen eye
+of the workman carefully watching their progress, and adjusting the
+inequalities in their surfaces or edges, which will always appear more
+or less in the course of working.
+
+The price at which competition demands those lenses shall be rendered,
+operates against the wearer of spectacles; for the producer cannot
+afford to throw aside such as are faulty, and the wholesale agent and
+retail dispenser cannot expect to have, at the low price charged,
+lenses which will bear a critical examination; and thus all which can
+possibly be used are thrust into frames of one kind or other, from the
+common iron or horn sold by the poor hawkers at sixpence, eightpence,
+and one shilling per pair, to the more expensive frames; while many
+faulty glasses, after being dubbed with some ear-tickling appellation,
+and imbibing extraordinary “light-modifying and refractive virtues,”
+by passing into the hands of the hawker of a higher class, are palmed
+upon the unfortunate spectacle-purchasers who are simple enough to give
+credence to the wondrous tale.
+
+Women and children are chiefly employed to cut and edge those cheap
+glasses to the spectacle-frames; and who can expect they should do them
+better for the price? And if one glass should be unequally thick, like
+a wedge, while its companion in the same spectacles is miserably thin;
+or if the centres, instead of being equidistant from all parts of the
+rim are nipped into a corner; how _can_ you feel surprised when you
+consider that for them to earn a living, it is necessary they should
+finish several dozen pairs per day, and therefore, expedition, rather
+than excellence, is the point at which they aim? In many departments,
+where machinery has supplanted manual labour, the work produced is of
+a superior character, and will bear more critical examination; but the
+contrary is the fact in the case of machine-worked optical glasses,
+and is more especially apparent in such as are intended for microscopic
+and achromatic purposes. It cannot be denied that, for all such uses,
+lenses worked by hand, with the ordinary care of a skilful workman, as
+much excel those produced by machinery, as the accurate and scientific
+touch of the artist eclipses the random splash of the plasterer.
+
+The trial box, or frame of sights, ranging from the slightest
+focal power down to the deepest, is a very useful apparatus, both
+for the optician and his patient. It consists of eight or nine
+spectacle-fronts, clamped together at one end by a rivet, on which
+they are yet free to move. The focus of each pair is stamped on the
+front. They are enclosed by a pair of lids, which forms a handle, to
+be held by the hand, while one front after another is placed before
+the eyes, to determine what focus yields the desired assistance. This
+being ascertained, and having noted down the power we find to suit most
+naturally, as explained when treating of convex lenses, page 12, we
+have only to determine what style of mounting we prefer, and whether
+we will have glasses or pebbles, for the optician to suit us at once
+with lenses adapted to the sight, and mountings fitting pleasantly to
+the head. If an interview with the optician is impracticable, it will
+be ensuring greater accuracy, to mention the exact distance, measured
+as a straight line from the centre of the pupil of one eye to that of
+the other; and if the nose, on the bridge between the eyes, is flat or
+prominent, broad or narrow, since spectacles, suiting the sight most
+accurately, are frequently an annoyance, rather than an assistance, to
+the wearer, from these particulars being unheeded.
+
+Two trial boxes comprise the range of convex sight, one for young
+persons, and those who require spectacles for the first, second, or
+third time; the other for those eyes which have been long accustomed to
+spectacles, or from some constitutional or sudden cause, need those of
+strong magnifying power. The third box contains concave lenses, ranging
+from No. 1 to 12, which are the sights chiefly wanted, although, in
+extraordinary cases, No. 13, 14, and even 20, have been required.
+
+Although, throughout this treatise, I have endeavoured to convince my
+readers that they may and ought mainly to determine for themselves, yet
+I would recommend a visit to the optician, where it is practicable,
+in preference to a description of the case; for the same reason that
+the best written statement of a patient’s malady, sent to a physician,
+does not afford him that familiar acquaintance with the case which an
+interview of a few minutes would supply.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[2] The manufacture of glass was known very early, but glass perfectly
+transparent and colourless was reckoned so valuable, that Nero is said
+to have given a sum equal to £25 for two moderate sized colourless
+drinking glasses.—_Starke’s Oriental Letters._
+
+Glass for optical uses is heavy, homogeneous, free from streaks
+and veins. More expensive chemical substances are employed in its
+manufacture than are used in making common glass.
+
+[3] Pebbles, again, are proved by grinding the edges briskly on a
+moderately smooth file, or porous stone; they will resist the action
+of these, and emit sparkles of light as the velocity of the friction
+is increased, while glasses, on the contrary, yield, and are ground
+without difficulty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+ “Every day’s observation shews how far some men may be carried from
+ the most evident and obvious truths, to support a new hypothesis,
+ which has no foundation either in nature or reason; but truth will
+ ever control and prevail over error, though supported with all the
+ powers of rhetoric and novelty.”—B. MARTIN.
+
+
+Where distance, or any other cause, prevents our having access to
+persons who are competent to suit us properly with spectacles, great
+care should be exercised to choose those which cause the print of a
+newspaper, or the ordinary types of a book, to appear of their natural
+and proper size, while they are viewed at the distance most agreeable
+for reading, viz., twelve inches from the eye. It is evidently better
+to “try spectacles” on such ordinary printing as they will be generally
+exercised upon, than to test them by the very small print with which
+persons frequently provide themselves. To decipher this, a greater
+power is demanded than is requisite for usual reading, writing, and
+needlework, which are the purposes for which we require them, and not
+for microscopic observation, nor for distant views.
+
+The eyes in which no malformation or disease exists, but which simply
+partake of constitutional decay, or, from too continued application
+to sedentary and studious pursuits, are beginning to feel a want of
+assistance, should have spectacles of sixty-inch focus, which is an
+exceedingly slight magnifying power; and if these are found to be
+insufficient to afford an agreeable and natural perception (not an
+enlarged or magnified image of the letters of a book, &c., held in
+the hand at the distance of twelve or fourteen inches from the eye),
+then apply those of the next power, viz., forty-eight inches’ focus.
+If these again are unequal to supply the loss of power or incapacity
+of the eye to converge the light to a point at the instant it reaches
+the retina, then lenses of thirty-six inches focus are to be had
+recourse to; and when these fail to afford agreeable vision, thirty,
+twenty-eight, twenty-four, twenty, must be progressively adopted, thus
+gradually descending the scale until the eyes receive such compensation
+for their progressive decay and loss of power, as spectacles carefully
+suited to the sight are capable so effectually to supply.
+
+The period at which the sight begins to fail does not at all depend
+on age, but varies in different persons according to the formation of
+the eyes, the treatment they have received, and the constitutional
+capability; therefore, the age of the person requiring spectacles gives
+but a vague general idea to the optician as to what is required, unless
+other particulars are stated; such as whether glasses have been used
+before; the distance at which writing and printing is seen pleasantly
+without assistance, the focus of those last used, or sending even but a
+broken piece of the same.
+
+“The proper selection of spectacles for imperfect vision is a point
+of much deeper importance than is generally believed. An _oculist_
+who is only acquainted with the diseases of the human eye, without
+possessing any knowledge of it as an optical instrument, is often led
+professionally to recommend glasses when they ought not to be used, or
+to fix on focal lengths entirely unfit for the purpose to which they
+are applied, and the _mere vender_ of spectacles and lenses is still
+more frequently in the habit of proffering such counsel.”—BREWSTER.
+
+The near-sighted, or those who require concave spectacles should
+use those of the slightest power; No. 0, or No. 1, will generally
+be sufficient at first, but this, by the aid of the trial box,
+can readily be determined by the wearer himself. There is such an
+immense benefit experienced by the short-sighted from spectacles
+which suit their sight, that to argue for their adoption of them
+would be quite superfluous. Without spectacles they are excluded from
+observing beautiful landscapes, recognizing individuals, or viewing to
+advantage any of the crowd of interesting objects around them; but by
+adopting them they are placed on a par with the long-sighted in such
+circumstances, while the sharp and microscopic character of their sight
+_without_ spectacles, gives them many advantages over those possessing
+ordinary vision.
+
+The short, or near-sighted eyes, have the cornea, and often the
+crystalline lens, more convex or arched out than in long-sighted eyes.
+This formation causes the rays to converge to a focus before they reach
+the retina, but by the application of a concave lens the difficulty is
+corrected, and the rays are carried on to their proper point for giving
+a perfect representation on the retina.
+
+This character of sight is very frequent, and is more particularly
+remarkable among those whose mode of life restricts them to crowded
+cities, sedentary employments, and confined situations. Those whose
+infantine and youthful years have been passed in the country, or where
+the eyes have had a free range of view, not circumscribed by the walls
+of the nursery, or limited to the observation of objects near at hand,
+rarely require concave spectacles.[4]
+
+The spectacle-frames next demand our attention, as our utmost care in
+judiciously selecting lenses of the proper focus for our sight will be
+neutralized if the frame or mounting in which they are placed does not
+apply comfortably to the head, leaving the lenses they carry fair and
+parallel before the eyes. If the front of a pair of spectacles is too
+short for the wearer’s face, he will look upon the edge of the lens,
+and a portion of the exterior rim of the frame; if they are too long
+his eye will meet the opposite edge and inner curve of the rim.
+
+Spectacle-frames are fashioned to suit the variety of formation in
+different individuals, and therefore such should be applied as adapt
+themselves pleasantly to the temples, across the forehead and before
+the eyes. The pupil of the eye should, when looking at an object
+directly before it, see through the centre of the spectacle-eye, so
+that if the whole of the glass, except the small centre, were painted
+black, the rays of light would pass through it without distortion of
+the pupil. The bridge or nose-part of the spectacle-frame should be
+arched out, made like the crank of a lathe, or perfectly parallel with
+the knuckles of the sides, according to the formation of the wearer’s
+nose, otherwise the spectacles sit awkwardly on the face too far from
+or too near to the eye-lashes, with their centres too high or too low
+for the natural exercise of sight. Trifling as these particulars may
+seem, they cannot be neglected with impunity. Where these defects
+are unattended to, the eye is tortured by straining to overcome the
+difficulty, and striving to accommodate itself to them, instead of
+their being shaped to meet its requirements. Some old-fashioned
+spectacles have short side-pieces, which press most unpleasantly on
+one point of the temples, and when closed scratch and rub the lenses.
+Others have very cumbrous and heavy sides, with double lift or common
+hinge-joints. These also scratch the lenses when folded up, and can
+only be worn with any degree of comfort when the head is uncovered.
+Decidedly the best constructed spectacle-frames are those which,
+without being clumsy, have enough strength to admit of the sides being
+extended the full width of the face without bending the front, with
+single sides rather longer than their front for ladies’ use, and with
+turnpin sides (an extending joint, turning on a pivot,) for gentlemen.
+
+The material of which they are composed should be either gold, silver,
+or enamelled blue steel. Tortoiseshell, also, when well made, is very
+light and pleasant to wear, particularly for ladies. There is no
+advantage in large size, or round-eye spectacles, to compensate for
+their clumsy appearance and great weight; we get a sufficient expanse
+of observation with the oval-shape glasses without harassing the eye
+with an excess of light, which the large glasses admit.
+
+Solid blue steel mountings are a decided improvement, and are
+invaluable for persons who constantly require spectacles. They are
+wrought from a plate of steel, and shaped as light and uniform as any
+other town-made elastic blue-steel spectacles, with the advantage of
+being more durable, and eventually less expensive; for as they have no
+soldering in their composition, it is scarcely possible to break them,
+and therefore they rarely want repairing. Blue steel spectacles, in
+consequence of their being so much in request, are coarsely imitated,
+and vast numbers are sold by the pretended cheap shops, at apparently
+low prices which the wearer will find to be immensely beyond their real
+value. There are thirteen different qualities of the spectacles termed
+blue steel. The chief part are country made, and roughly put together,
+some being all iron, others having iron fronts and steel sides;
+others again bear a tolerably close resemblance to the best town-made
+articles, and unless the two are compared together, are likely to
+deceive a casual observer.[5]
+
+The fine elastic blue steel, of the best quality, are exceedingly
+light, highly polished, and beautifully enamelled. They will retain
+their appearance for two or three years, when carefully used; and they
+can be restored to their original appearance at any time for a few
+shillings’ expense.
+
+The anti-pressure spectacles are made of gold, silver, or the elastic
+steel. They are not adapted for ladies’ use, but for gentlemen have
+been much in demand, as they obviate the necessity of opening and
+closing a second joint or lengthening piece, and do not press or annoy
+the nose or temples, but by an equal tenacity preserve their proper
+position before the eyes.
+
+Single eye-glasses, though very convenient for occasional use, are not
+to be compared with spectacles for the agreeable and natural assistance
+they give to vision. The eye should not be dependent on them for
+continuous assistance. Those who persist in using them should do so as
+little as possible; but the wiser course is to discard them entirely,
+and adopt the double eye-glasses where it would be tedious to apply
+spectacles of the usual kind.
+
+That the vision is more natural and perfect when both eyes are employed
+than when one glass only is used, must be self-evident, as the axis of
+each glass, placed as they should be in the spectacles, coincides with
+the axis of each eye, and the rays of light are thus equally refracted
+to the eye. Again, the eyes have a most acute and sensitive sympathy
+with each other, and when a single eye-glass is constantly used they
+are unnaturally exercised, and prevented from acting in concert. One
+eye (generally the right eye) has the glass perpetually applied to
+it; and very frequently, in consequence of this pernicious practice,
+becomes of a different focus to the other. Mr. George Adams informs us
+that he did not recollect an instance of a short-sighted person who had
+occasion to increase the focus of his concaves if he began by wearing
+spectacles, but that the cases were frequent, where a single eye-glass
+had been used, in which the persons had frequently required a change of
+glasses.
+
+The prices of spectacles are diversified and fluctuating, like all
+other manufactures, so that to publish a list of prices would only tend
+to mislead and deceive my readers. For instance, the price of a pair
+of pebbles, used formerly to be one guinea extra to the charge for
+glasses; they are now reduced to half that sum. A pair of pebbles, of
+the concave or of the periscopic figure, were at the same time charged
+twenty-five shillings. These have been reduced in the same proportion.
+And it cannot be too universally known, that a person can have a pair
+of good convex glasses fitted into his spectacles, and correctly suited
+to his sight, at from one shilling and sixpence to two shillings
+per pair, by any respectable optician. The poorest person may be
+defended against the tender mercies of the spectacle speculators; for
+he really can obtain a better article for his money, both in quality
+and suitableness to his sight, of the respectable optician, and, upon
+an average, at _a less cost_ than the cheat contrives, by dint of
+manœuvring, to extract from him. Good lenses, in plain frames, or, in
+other words, a good pair of spectacles, may be had, correctly suited
+to the sight, for two shillings and sixpence. Who then, knowing this,
+would suffer his sight to be tampered with? Truly, those who would
+stickle for a shilling in the price of such valuable and essential
+instruments
+
+    “Deserve not the comfort they shed o’er the soul.”
+
+Yet, at the same time, there is no reason why those exorbitant charges
+should be submitted to, which are often paid without hesitation by the
+delighted purchaser, when a pair of spectacles appears to suit his
+sight.
+
+The love of the marvellous, and the insane thirst for novelties, are
+strikingly displayed in many inquirers for spectacles. The honest,
+straight-forward, and disinterested counsel of the established
+tradesman, is looked upon with scowling suspicion; but the
+preposterous and shallow pretensions of the empiric, decked with all
+the paraphernalia of fudge and falsehood, are listened to with eager
+curiosity. If the writer looked to self-interest as his guiding star,
+his course would be to preserve silence on these subjects; since it
+needs not to be demonstrated, that the practice and the profit of the
+regular practitioner are increased by the patched-up and mangled cases,
+which are, as it were, provided for him, over and above the number who
+_legitimately require_ the exercise of his skill. But he despises such
+mercenary calculations, and contends that “The happiness of mankind at
+large is a principle that ought to be followed out by all individuals
+at every personal cost, and against every kind of opposition.”—_Medical
+Examiner._
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] In Russia the person having short sight is seated in a chair for
+several hours daily, with the head placed in a natural position for
+reading, but prevented from pressing forward. The page is at first
+placed at the short distance at which the eyes have been accustomed to
+observe; but this distance is gradually extended, until the humours of
+the eyes, constantly exercised in endeavouring to accommodate their
+powers to the gently increased demand upon them, at length acquire the
+capability of observing at the usual distance.
+
+It is undoubtedly the fact that this character of sight may be
+acquired; many instances could be adduced of watchmakers and others,
+whose employments are of a sedentary or studious character, becoming
+short-sighted.
+
+[5] It will be perceived that it is the workmanship and nice finish of
+the best town-made spectacle-frames which necessarily increases the
+price. Thus, a single pound of pig iron, which costs one penny, can be
+manufactured into watch-springs of the value of £240.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+  “Allured by hope of plunder, and intent
+  By force to rob, by fraud to circumvent,”—ÆNEIS.
+
+
+I shall give a few instances of the manner in which advertising
+adventurers rack their ingenuity to dress up their announcements in
+the most catching and attractive style; and, failing to find language
+sufficiently striking and pointed to arrest attention, scruple not to
+manufacture terms and apply similies, which, however preposterous and
+absurd they are seen to be when examined, yet answer their purpose of
+mystifying the public, and inducing a purchase of the vaunted articles.
+
+We have only to glance at the columns of our newspapers, and the covers
+of periodical publications, for illustrations of the extent to which
+the system of scheming, falsehood, and trickery, termed puffing, is
+carried. In one specious and lofty-toned announcement we are told that
+the most splendid discovery of the present age is now admitted, by the
+most unquestionable (?) testimonials, to be “Grindstone Snuff,” which
+is warranted to cure gutta serena, cataract, and all other diseases of
+the eyes, while a single pinch scares away headache and nervousness!
+Another startles the weatherwise by his impudent pretension to be the
+_only_ maker of barometers and thermometers in London; whereas, if
+the real truth were disclosed, it would be found that his connexion
+with the trade consisted in some such occupation as engraving the
+index plates of the instrument for his employers, who surely have the
+greater right to be considered real makers. Balsams, cough drops,
+rheumatism and gout dispersers, pills, cerates, syrups, shaving soaps,
+cornplasters, and heal-alls—all boast of the wondrous cures effected,
+and testimonials received. The long list of essences and decoctions,
+from vinegar to honey, also have the names of distinguished gentlemen
+of the faculty, the royal family, nobility, clergy, and gentry,
+appended as bearing testimony to their surprising virtues. “Highgate’s
+universal irresistible Ointment” we are informed, is an invaluable
+specific for all disorders.
+
+    “But who shall decide when doctors disagree?”
+
+A counter address denounces the same individual as an _uncertificated
+impostor_, who has no testimonials of his own, but has filched extracts
+from the only real original certificates and testimonials of “Monsieur
+Holabolo’s genuine Panacea,” which alone is a radical cure for all
+internal and external complaints. Another ointment puffer, whose
+nostrum is warranted to cure the plague and cholera, among other evils,
+occupies two columns of a newspaper with cures said to be effected
+by it; and these are flanked with no less than seventy-six names of
+surgeons and oculists, who, among others, testify to its monstrous
+virtues!![6]
+
+Now in all these quack advertisements, we find the names, titles,
+and residences of the professional gentlemen correctly given, which,
+possibly may be of some consideration. Indeed, I know it is to some
+few an advantage not to be overlooked, as their names are thus kept
+before the public eye free of expense to them, and they are, although
+indirectly, as effectually puffed into notice as the quack himself.
+Without charging the respectable and high-minded members of the
+profession with entering into a compact, and designedly lending the
+sanction of their name and office to these abominable schemes of
+imposition, and granting full force to the apologies they offer as to
+its “being customary;” “that the profession generally do it;” “that
+to interfere would be expensive and troublesome;” and that “it is
+the fault of the public, who suffer themselves to be deluded by such
+shallow artifices,” I conceive it to be the bounden duty of every man
+of honour, when those tricksters employ his name without his sanction
+or authority, to adopt measures to disabuse that very large section
+of society, who attach full credit to statements appearing under such
+auspices.
+
+But it is with spectacle advertisers that we are more immediately
+concerned, and it is therefore essential to convince every individual
+of ordinary capacity, that he can, by the exercise of common sense, and
+the moderate use of his reasoning faculties, safely and judiciously
+determine for himself, when spectacles are required, and what powers
+and qualities they should possess; either when the eyes first require
+restorative aid, or at any subsequent period of life.
+
+Amber spectacles have been bepraised and forced into notice as much
+as any of these quack specifics. I consider that the apathy and
+indifference manifested by those who know the statements put forth
+to be a tissue of falsehoods, are extremely reprehensible. No wonder
+that thousands have been tricked and trifled with when such novel
+and plausible pretensions have remained unchallenged, and those
+who know them to be hollow and deceitful artifices have suffered
+them to remain unexposed. Amber is so soft that a proper degree of
+polish cannot be given to it to make it suitable for spectacles. The
+streaks, specks, veins, and irregularities in it may be detected by
+the most casual observer. Glass and pebbles assimilate closely to the
+composition of the eye itself, but amber only imitates its diseased and
+decayed appearance. When the powers of the eye begin to decline, the
+crystalline humour becomes somewhat yellow, and as the decay proceeds
+this tinge increases.[7] Amber is strongly charged with electricity;
+it has an affinity for oil, grease, and human perspiration; “and it was
+from amber that the electrical fluid was first obtained.”[8]
+
+Since writing the above, I have received, by the medium of the twopenny
+post, a printed circular, headed, “_Amber Spectacles._—M——having
+experienced from the use of amber spectacles that which is expressed by
+the following eminent gentlemen, considers it to be his duty to caution
+the public against the use of them:— “Amber is a soft substance, and
+it is impossible to form it into a perfect lens, and a lens improperly
+constructed would prove most injurious to vision. Amber, in a moderate
+heat, becomes sticky; and by cleaning it in a short time, the polish
+wears off. It is also easily scratched, and soon loses the little
+transparency it possesses. Glue, as to substance and colour, is quite
+equal to it; and although purchasers pay an enormous price for amber
+spectacles, yet they incur a great risk of materially injuring their
+vision.”[9]
+
+If there even were any merit or superiority in amber spectacles, be
+it observed, that the persons who prate about _their_ discovery, are
+not the parties who originated or introduced the article. I have in
+my possession several which were first brought to this country, and
+sold by a Prussian mechanic, long before he came in contact with
+individuals, who took a shameful advantage of his forlorn situation,
+and, after deluding him with specious promises, reduced him to their
+own terms. The poor man found remonstrances to be unavailing; and as he
+knew that redress was both uncertain and expensive, he refrained from
+farther interference, sighing as he said,—
+
+    “My poverty and not my will consents.”
+
+Cautions respecting amber spectacles have frequently appeared in the
+daily newspapers. On the 17th of APRIL, 1838, the “_Sun_” contained a
+long advertisement, lauding their extraordinary virtues. In the same
+page, followed an exposé of the puff; and in another part of the paper
+was the following paragraph, made to appear as the editor’s remarks:—
+
+“An advertisement appeared in our paper of the 9th instant, calling
+into question the merits of patent amber spectacles, which have been
+so highly recommended for the preservative and assisting qualities for
+defective vision, by men of high character and professional reputation.
+The names of Messrs. Dollond and Curtis being used, it is right that
+the public should be apprised of the ascertained fact, that it owes its
+insertion, not to the knowledge of those gentlemen, but to the personal
+pique of interested individuals.”
+
+Persons who are somewhat acquainted with the manner in which such
+paragraphs are got up, well know what importance is to be attached
+to them; the uninitiated, however, are led to suppose that Messrs.
+Dollond and Curtis were not of the opinions expressed, but that some
+of the trade, jealous of the advertisers’ “high character,” had
+maliciously questioned the “superior refractive property,” “light
+modifying,” “cool,” and “soothing” attributes of the admirable amber.
+But what ought we to think of the professional and literary characters
+who countenance the system of fraud and delusion practised by puffing
+advertisers. We might in charity suppose that the signatures of those
+eminent persons were surreptitiously obtained; and in that case, the
+straight-forward course they ought to adopt, should be publicly to
+disavow all connection with the cheats. But if they really hold the
+opinions attributed to them, we are bound to declare that, opposed as
+such idle notions are to truth and common sense, their presumption
+is ridiculous in publishing opinions on a subject of which they are
+grossly ignorant—ay, grossly ignorant! however capable and popular they
+may be in their own professions. Indeed many names of able and skilful
+surgeons are enumerated in the list of patrons and testimonial writers,
+who would smile at the effrontery of self-dubbed opticians, and the
+credulity of the public, conscious that they had no pretensions to any
+superior acquaintance with the subject. The ingenious and talented
+Dr. Neill Arnott remarks, in his “Elements of Physics,”—“Will it be
+believed that _there are medical men_ who neither understand mechanics
+nor hydraulics, nor pneumatics, nor optics, nor acoustics, beyond the
+merest routine; and that systems of medical education are put forth
+at this day, which do not even mention the department of physics or
+natural philosophy;”
+
+But a general diffusion of knowledge is changing the condition of
+society, and elevating the human character. At first we almost tremble
+at our own boldness, in demanding proofs of the capability of our
+teachers; but the mind, gathering power, and unfolding its strength,
+with every opportunity for its manifestation, insists on having
+positive proofs, rather than vague pretensions, and demands solid
+information, instead of empty nothingness, however gorgeously arrayed,
+or pompously introduced.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[6] As for operators on the teeth, they have multiplied exceedingly in
+the land. Their successful career is a _biting_ satire on the credulity
+of their supporters.
+
+_American Quackery._—The cost for advertising quack medicines in the
+United States, annually, is estimated at 200,000 dollars. A peck of
+pills per day is considered necessary for Boston, and half a bushel
+for New York. On an average, only one in twenty-five who take them
+is actually sick; and the proportion of those dispensing with some
+necessary of life to purchase nostrums, which do them a positive
+injury, is in the ratio of eighty-seven to every one hundred throughout
+the country.
+
+[7] Dr. Petit found the crystalline in the eye of a man eighty years of
+age so yellow as to resemble amber.
+
+“When exposed to heat it becomes soft, swells, bubbles up, is apt to
+take fire, and burns with a yellowish flame.”—_Heron’s Chemistry._
+
+“It gives out electricity by friction. It is an indurated vegetable
+juice, and not produced by the laws of crystallization, but by the
+same causes which influence the mechanical condition of gum arabic,
+and other resinous substances. Insects are often found embedded in
+it.”—_Parkes’s Chemistry._
+
+It is a fact, that to silence such objections, a great improvement in
+amber, very pure and costly, was announced; this was nothing more nor
+less than yellow plate-glass, the same as is used in stained-glass
+windows. I have several specimens of these “superlative patent amber”
+in my possession.
+
+[8] Dr. Neill Arnott.
+
+[9] Dollond—Curtis.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ “Nothing extenuate or set down aught in malice.”—SHAKSPEARE.
+
+
+Some instances which have come under my own cognizance will illustrate
+the way in which gross imposition is practised, and the public morals
+materially injured, by weakening confidence in those who are, from
+their education and rank, looked to as guides and preceptors, and
+causing the mind to turn with indignation from the needy, but debased
+and grovelling creatures, who resort to any means, however infamous, to
+effect their selfish purposes.
+
+A military gentleman, of Stonehouse, was waited upon by a renowned
+optical quack, who, the moment he entered the parlour, exclaimed,
+“Goot Got, Sar! vy, you are a’goin plind; the sight is leaving your
+left eye! If you don’t immejartly take to my improved classes I vill
+not answer for the konserkences; kataract will grow on it in a month!”
+The gentleman, taken by surprise, tried on some of the _preservers_,
+and finally purchased two pairs of hand-folding spectacles, for which
+he paid four pounds. Some time after, they were more particularly
+inspected, and proved to be common glass, instead of pebbles, as was
+represented, and of much stronger focus than the eyes required. The
+full London retail charge for _such_ articles is 10_s._ per pair.
+
+In the same town the same _distinguished_ individual forced his way
+into the study of a reverend gentleman, and alarmed him by a similar
+prognostication. A pair of the “clarified crystals, ground by a
+peculiar process,” were purchased, price fifteen shillings. Afterwards,
+upon finding that one eye was irritated, and derived no assistance
+from the spectacles, the gentleman called upon the optician who had
+always previously supplied him, and was convinced of the trick which
+had been put upon him. They were common machine-worked glasses, each
+of a different focus, and neither of them suitable to his sight. Their
+proper price, sold in their proper place (viz., by hawkers, in the
+streets,) is one shilling per pair!
+
+A gentleman of Norwich, struck with the advantages promised by some
+extraordinary spectacles, paid two guineas for a pair of blue steel,
+with blue glasses, which were warranted pebbles,[10] and had the
+additional vexation to be severely censured by several friends, who
+complained that the fellow had fixed them with similar trash by
+representing that he (the gentleman) had said, “After you leave mine,
+do you go down past the Norfolk Hotel, and say I bid you to call on Mr.
+and Mrs. ——, to sell them spectacles such as I have bought.” This, of
+course, was a manœuvre of the cheat himself.
+
+A gentleman, of Tavistock, purchased a pair of silver spectacles,
+declared to be very fine pebbles, price thirty-five shillings; they
+were merely glass; and as he required a glass in an old pair of
+spectacles, the pompous hawker offered to _oblige_ him by putting one
+of his “clarified lenses” to match the focus: for this he charged five
+shillings and sixpence. It was two inches different in focal length
+to the original glass! which would have been properly matched, by any
+resident optician, for one shilling!
+
+One of the hawking tribe called at the residence of Major C——, near
+Hereford, and represented that M——, Esq., had ordered, on the previous
+day, two pairs of spectacles, and desired him to call upon his friend,
+the major, to suit him also. In this case the attack was parried; and,
+spite of the hawker’s vehement declaration, that the eyes were in a
+terrible state, he was dismissed, “to call again to-morrow.” Thus the
+major preserved his eyes, and saved his money. In the evening he saw
+his friend, and inquired if he had sent a fellow to his house with
+spectacles? “No,” was the reply, “but you sent him to _me_; for he came
+this afternoon, saying you had bought two pairs, and wished me to have
+some of the same kind; therefore, I bought two pairs, and paid him the
+price he said _you_ gave, viz., three pounds, ten shillings, though at
+first he wanted four guineas!”
+
+A naval captain, residing at Monmouth, showed me a pair of silver
+spectacles with six-inch focus glasses, very jagged and splintered at
+the edges, worth at most twelve shillings, for which he had given one
+of the tribe of impostors two guineas, and a pair of tortoiseshell
+(which _did_ suit his sight) into the bargain.[11]
+
+A lady at Belfast was attracted by the showy advertisement of an
+itinerant optician, and called upon him, “between the hours of ten and
+six,” for the purpose of purchasing a pair of spectacles. The first
+thing he did, after staring at her, and impudently declaring that her
+eyes were being ruined, was to snatch her spectacles from her face,
+and put a pair of his own in their place. “There, Matam! they are the
+spattacles for your eyes, those you have peen vearing vill pring on
+kataract.” “I see pretty well in these,” said the lady, “but my own
+suit about as well, I think.” “Oh dear no, it’s quite a mistake, your
+own are retched; put them on—isn’t there a differench now, Matam?”
+“Yes, there is,” said the lady, (who had too much penetration for the
+pedlar) “they require cleaning after having been held in your hot hand
+all this time;” and taking up a washleather she wiped the glasses,
+and, replacing them, bade adieu to the _testimonialed_ optician.
+
+A lady, who was visiting for a few weeks at Margate, was startled one
+morning, by a big, blustering, shewily-dressed man, who, after knocking
+at the street door, pushed past the servant, and rapping loudly at the
+parlour door opened it without waiting for any reply. “Goot morning,
+Matam, I am the optician to the royal family; your friend, Lady W——,
+terives so much goot from my pellucit lenses, she peggd me to call and
+suit you.” Before all this had been uttered he had taken a package from
+a confederate, dressed as a livery servant, who accompanied him, and
+covered the table with his stock. “Your eyes are in a most alarming
+state Matam, this pair of cold spattacles will suit you.” “Really,”
+said the lady; “how came Lady W—— to suppose I wanted spectacles? I
+have never worn any at any time in my life.” “No, that’s the vary
+reason your sight is leaving you; your eyes are vary pad.” “What is the
+price of this pair?” inquired the lady. “Three guineas” was the answer.
+The price was paid; and after punishing her eyes for a few days, the
+lady met with a scientific friend who convinced her that they were
+totally unfit and improper for her, her eyes being in excellent order,
+and not requiring spectacles at all!
+
+A gentleman, visiting at Canterbury, in 1834, was induced through the
+representations of the same notorious cheat to purchase a pair of
+spectacles, which were warranted to dissipate the cataract forming
+in his eye; the price paid was five pounds. As he was lamenting the
+terrible state in which he was informed his eyes certainly were
+(although, strange to say, he was quite unconscious of it) another
+pair was placed upon his nose, which, he was told he ought to wear as a
+change, in case the eyes were pained by the efforts of the first pair
+to dissipate the cataract. Another five pound note was handed over to
+the hawker, who began to grow quite pathetic; and artfully alluding
+to the services of the gentleman during the war, and expatiating upon
+a few circumstances with which he had made himself acquainted in a
+chat with one of the gossips at the public house where he lodged, he
+pretended to lament the necessity for the gentleman staying within
+doors. “What, may I not take a walk or ride as usual? I can’t endure
+being cooped up within doors.” “There’s danger in your going out,”
+said the pedlar, “except your eyes are guarded with green Refractive
+Preservers.” “Oh, bless me,” said the gentleman, “that’s very serious;
+then you really think I ought to have another pair for walking and
+riding, eh?” “Oh certainly, by all means; nothing else can save your
+eyes, unless you confine yourself within doors.” “What’s the price of
+such a pair of preservers?” “Six guineas, Sir; but as you have bought
+the others you shall have them for five pounds.” “Why, dear me, I shall
+be ruined in buying spectacles, and yet I never felt that I wanted them
+before.” “That’s just the vay, ven the eyes are a’going blind it comes
+on all at once, my tear Sir.”
+
+By this transaction the pedlar actually pocketed three five pound
+notes. In less than a week afterwards the first two pair were sent
+to me to have the yellow coloured glasses exchanged for white lenses
+of four degrees less magnifying power; the price at which the whole
+three pairs could have been purchased elsewhere would be forty-five
+shillings.
+
+It will scarcely be credited that the individuals who thus practise on
+the public are grossly ignorant; and were it not that the anxiety of
+the purchasers to possess something extraordinary renders them liable
+to imposition and allays suspicion, such shallow pretensions never
+would pass undetected.
+
+One of the tribe, who, until lately, practised the art and mystery
+of his forefathers as a dealer in old clothes, suddenly changed his
+_profession_, and, calculating the chances to be two to one in his
+favour, ventured, neck or nothing, to blazon himself forth as an
+experienced, scientific, and practical optician. A book, bearing his
+name as its author, and sundry special appointments, obtained by
+dint of the most brazen assurance and persevering importunity, were
+ostentatiously paraded before the wondering eyes of her majesty’s
+liege subjects. The public are stultified, and the eminent individual
+himself, is almost astonished that the scheme should take, and like the
+“Fly preserved in amber, wonders how the d—— he came there.”
+
+There are artists in his locality who can give many _graphic_
+illustrations of the disregard to truth, violation of friendship, and
+cunning perversion of facts, of which this individual has been guilty,
+and yet no one has a greater array of eminent names and testimonials to
+show—many signatures of really clever men having been obtained by some
+means or other. Surely there is much piquancy and truth in the Spanish
+proverb: “those who know most are oftenest cheated.”
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[10] Pebbles, it is scarcely necessary to say, are colourless.
+
+[11] This gentleman stormed most lustily when made aware of the trick
+which had been practised upon him, and threatened legal exposure to the
+“professional optician.” But this course is seldom resorted to, the
+dupes recollecting that, while they publish the swindler’s villainy,
+they give us but an indifferent idea of their own discernment, beside
+the uncertainty and incongruity ever attendant upon Law, thus quaintly
+sketched by Bentham;—“If a man give you a black eye, you make him pay
+for it, but if he put your eye out, you get nothing; and whatever is
+taken from him goes nominally to the queen—really to John Stokes or
+Jack Nokes who have no concern at all in the matter. If a man kill your
+pig, you get the value of it, but if he kill your wife or your child,
+you get nothing—if any thing is got out of him it goes to a stranger,
+as before. A man sets your house on fire, if by misfortune, you receive
+amends, if through malice, you receive nothing.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+  “See, arm’d with great authority, they come,
+  And with great names and numbers strike us dumb;
+  Reason and common sense to names must fall,
+  And strength of argument’s no strength at all.”—DODSLEY.
+
+
+I will now produce a few specimens of Puffing Advertisements, which
+will show how sounding words are senselessly strung together to give an
+air of importance to their originators, and leave my readers to judge
+for themselves how far the public ought to be influenced by them. The
+orthography (?) of these puffs is, in every way worthy of the authors
+of them. They are given _pure_.
+
+
+PUFF, No. 1.
+
+ Improved Eye Preservers, patronized by the Faculty of the Eye
+ Infirmaries for Cataract, and other improved glasses.
+
+ Mr. —— optician to the Queen,[12] Her Royal Highness the Duchess of
+ Kent, &c. sole Inventor of Optical Glasses, ground and shaded on
+ the Exact[13] Principle. Mr. —— has been for twenty-five years a
+ manufacturer, who has devoted his study with time to bring this branch
+ to perfection. Mr. —— has been earnestly solicited to pay a short
+ visit for a limited period. He has the honour to announce his arrival
+ from the London, Bristol, and Edinburgh Optical Establishments.
+
+ Spectacles for far and near distances, for those who have a full eye,
+ ground in a peculiar manner.
+
+ Sight is often abused by inexperienced persons taking upon themselves
+ the impracticable task of assisting it.
+
+ The Improved Spectacles, and other glasses, made by Mr. —— on the
+ authority of professional gentlemen, are the very best ever invented;
+ they have gone through a different process, which clarifies and makes
+ them the greatest improvement ever heard of by candle light or dull
+ day.
+
+ Mr. —— can tell by the physiology and figure of the eye when to give
+ the greatest assistance. His glasses are of a refractive quality;
+ so constructed as to effect the greatest relief; manufactured by
+ machinery of a new construction, and by a peculiar way. Turbid glasses
+ destroy the cornea and iris of the eye, and harbingers all ocular
+ diseases.
+
+ *** A book will be given for the use of the Improved Spectacles and
+ advice for all diseases.
+
+ Sight is injured by buying Spectacles of Shops, or other _chance_
+ places of sale, totally unacquainted with vision.
+
+ Ladies and Gentlemen whose eyes are weak will, by using these
+ extraordinary Spectacles for two or three hours a week, find their
+ matchless qualities, as they are ground in a peculiar way.
+
+  Mr. —— will call with a large Assortment.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKER, NO. ——
+
+  *** This Circular will be called for.
+
+
+PUFF, No. 2.
+
+ The sight of the aged assisted by the Improved Spectacles, upon
+ unerring principles.
+
+ Persons have been going round copying Mr. ——’s Bill, who is the only
+ real original manufacturer of them?[14] it has been the cause of
+ many persons nearly losing their sight, Mr. —— has had fifteen years
+ practice on the eye: there is such a monstrous difference in these
+ improved glasses, that one pair will serve a person his whole life.
+ The sight of the aged assisted, the weak strengthened, and the perfect
+ improved, by Mr. ——’s improved spectacles.
+
+ Spectacles for those who have a full eye; the glasses are ground
+ in a peculiar manner. Blindness has took place from the ignorance
+ of persons wearing the glasses in common use, owing to the glasses
+ _drawing_ the eyes. These glasses are highly recommended by
+ professional gentlemen, who view them to be the greatest improvement
+ ever known; they have gone through a different process, which
+ clarifies them, and makes them the greatest improvement by candle
+ light or dull day, qualifying you to see the greatest length of time
+ at one sitting; those persons whose eyes are weak, by using a pair of
+ those extraordinary preservers for two or three hours will find they
+ are ground in a peculiar manner.
+
+ A treatise will be given for the use of the Improved glasses, with
+ advice gratis for all diseases of the eye. Mr. —— flatters himself he
+ can perform the most difficult cures in the sight with the greatest
+ ease; there is no complaint of the eye but he is acquainted with. Mr.
+ —— cautions the public against a person who is selling Spectacles
+ which pretend to be his.
+
+ Mr. —— will call with a large Assortment of Improved glasses, which
+ will give satisfaction.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKER.
+
+
+PUFF, No. 3.
+
+ Caution against a person taking the name of Messrs. ——, the
+ professional opticians: and imposing upon ladies and gentlemen in
+ selling shameful spectacles, as Messrs. —— improved, and charging
+ forty shillings, while Messrs. —— only charges for the same twenty
+ shillings, or, with pebbles, only fifteen shillings.
+
+ PERMANENT RELIEF
+
+ for all disorders effecting the eyes, and cases of dimness. Were it
+ necessary,
+
+ A HOST OF CASES
+
+ might be named by which persons, distinguished, have, by their
+ improved scientific and successful using of their
+
+ IMPROVED GLASSES
+
+ been much benefitted. The honourable patronage noticed at the head of
+ this article, and their hourly increasing patronage, are proofs of
+ their great skill and talent for
+
+ ALL DISORDERS OF THE SIGHT.
+
+ They have the honour to be professionally consulted by the chief
+ families in the empire. Imperfect sight can only be handled properly
+ by those who by deep study have a talent for
+
+ THE ORGANS OF SIGHT.
+
+ Many people injure their sight by buying improper spectacles, whereas
+ it is
+
+ THE ESPECIAL OBJECT
+
+ of Messrs. —— to rest the claim of patronage on those numerous persons
+ of the first quality.
+
+ THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY
+
+ May be suited with Spherical Pellucid Glasses, of every class,
+ according to their exalted rank.
+
+ THE MERCANTILE AND LABOURING CLASSES
+
+ may have their daily toil sweetened by these improved glasses;
+ administered, in cases of distress, on terms accommodating to their
+ situations in society.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKER, No. ——, A.
+
+
+PUFF, No. 4.
+
+ For a short time only.
+
+ Mr. ——, Optician to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of
+ ——, King and Queen of ——, has the honour to inform the nobility and
+ visitors of ——, he has arrived from the London Royal Eye Infirmary,
+ for a short time only. A reference to the distinguished patronage he
+ boasts, will convince the public he possesses great skill in the Optic
+ Line, and is without a parallel when such organs as the eyes is liable
+ to evils from common glass and pebbles, one being no better than the
+ other! It is his imperative wish to guard the public against them;
+ therefore, he announces his stay will be for a short period.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKER, No. ——, B.
+
+
+PUFF, No. 5.
+
+ MAY BE CONSULTED,
+
+ Mynheer ——, Practical and Professional Optician, Surgeon-Oculist and
+ Surgeon-Dentist, announces his arrival. In all recent or chronic
+ weakness, a perfect cure is his far-famed Keysell Spectacles, which
+ have the density and translucency of a diamond, and refractive
+ preserving powers, being composed from rare crystals, produced
+ from the Carpathian Rocks, so highly recommended by the faculty.
+ Mynheer M —— being based upon the greatest perfection which the
+ dento-chirurgical art can be carried, can renovate all decay by
+ his succedaneum, which all the faculty of the continental cities
+ recommend. In two seconds it removes pain, and lasts many years.
+
+ But it is to the Keysell Spectacles and Terrence Teeth that he would
+ _draw the eyes_ of his friends to: they are fixed in the mouth so
+ that it is impossible to remove them without wires. They increase the
+ beauty by their elegant matchlessness.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKER, No. ——
+
+
+PUFF, No. 6.
+
+ POSITIVELY FOR THIS WEEK ONLY.
+
+ Messrs. —— have succeeded, after fifteen years’ professional practice,
+ and devoting their whole lives to the optic line, in bringing out
+ a wonderful translucency for the organs of sight, coupled with a
+ conductor for deafness. This wonderful discovery brings faulty hearing
+ to perfection. They are so arranged and combined with scientific
+ principles, with the long practice of the inventors, that they will
+ allow such an extent of relief that will quite astonish every beholder.
+
+ They are anxious not to be confounded. There are other people who
+ pretend to the skill of Messrs. ——, therefore the public are liable
+ to be imposed upon. Inferior spectacles can be had of persons calling
+ themselves opticians, but Messrs. —— think it is scarcely necessary to
+ state, that their improved Translucency for Spectacles, and Conductors
+ for Deafness, are manufactured under their own eyes, upon spherical
+ principles.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKERS, No. ——
+
+ One of the Firm may be professionally consulted from 10 to 6.
+
+
+PUFF, No. 7.
+
+ IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
+
+ Mr. ——, Professional Optician, patronized by the faculty of London,
+ Brighton, Bath, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Paris.
+
+ Spectacles ground and shaded on the exact principle of truth, by Mr.
+ ——, the celebrated Optician from the London Optical Establishment,
+ established for a number of years.
+
+ Mr. ——, in consequence of the flattering encouragement he received
+ from the first families, he has established himself here for a short
+ time. He has made the study of vision his own, and can remedy any
+ organic defect, neglect, disease, or imperfection. Many individuals of
+ rank and royalty acknowledge the immense improvement. Mr. —— will send
+ a treatise, explaining every thing in the line, to every house, and
+ will attend himself with a splendid quantity of improved glasses.
+
+ As several persons travel through the country in his name, he begs
+ the public to look at his patronage at the top of his circular. He
+ is the sole Inventor of the Improved glasses. They have gone through
+ an elaborate process, they are therefore clarified and pellucid. They
+ throw a clearer light, and more brilliant than any others.
+
+  *** At home from 2 till 6.
+
+  LICENSED HAWKER, No. ——
+
+ _Please to observe the brass plate in the window._
+
+How often, too, accompanying such advertisements as the preceding, do
+we find paragraphs, in the laudatory style, to some such effect as the
+following (see also page 44). It requires but little penetration to
+arrive at a conclusion as to who are the authors of them.
+
+ PUFF PARAGRAPH, No. 1.—We again call the attention of our readers
+ to Mr. —— and his valuable assortment of Spectacles. They are
+ manufactured with extraordinary care, and constructed upon the
+ strictest scientific principles. M. —— has for a long period past
+ devoted his attention exclusively to that important branch of
+ optics—the human eye;—and the proficiency he has attained of the
+ complicated structure of that noble organ has enabled him to adapt
+ glasses to every degree of defective vision. But the highest panegyric
+ which can be pronounced upon the skill of this artist, is the
+ unprecedented number of applications which have been made to him.
+
+ Our readers will observe, that his stay is restricted to a few days.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ PUFF PARAGRAPH, No. 2.—We have more than once had occasion to allude
+ to the surreptitious conduct of individuals, who are eager to profit
+ by the established reputation of our resident opticians, Messrs. ——,
+ who are about making arrangements for visiting all the neighbouring
+ towns, making this place their permanent residence.[15]
+
+The “Messrs. ——,” the “resident,” the “distinguished,” decamped at the
+expiration of three weeks.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[12] The royal arms appear at the head of this elegant announcement.
+(Query) Ought not the proper authorities to prohibit such vile use
+being made of the name of royalty.
+
+[13] Query—_Exaction_ principle.
+
+[14] Were those individuals really _manufacturers_, they would not
+require a Licence to vend their articles. See Act of Parliament, 50
+Geo. III. cap. 41, sec. 23. enacts: “Provided always, and it is hereby
+enacted, that nothing in this Act shall extend to prohibit any person
+or persons from selling any printed papers, licensed by authority,
+or any fish, fruit, or victuals; nor to hinder the _real worker or
+workers, or maker or makers_ of any goods, wares, or manufactures
+of Great Britain, or his, her, or their children, apprentices, or
+known agents or servants usually residing with such real workers or
+makers only, from carrying abroad or exposing to sale, and selling by
+retail or otherwise, any of the said goods, wares, or manufactures
+of his, her, or their own making in any mart, market, or fair, and
+in every city, borough, town corporate, and market town. Nor any
+tinkers, coopers, glaziers, plumbers, harness makers, or other persons
+usually trading in mending kettles, tubs, household goods, or harness
+whatsoever, from going about and carrying with him, or them, proper
+materials for mending the same.”
+
+[15] It is gratifying, however, to find that many editors of newspapers
+repudiate the iniquitous system, perceiving that their readers might
+justly look upon them as participators in the fraud.
+
+One of the puffing, _professional_ licensed hawkers entered the
+office of the Reading newspaper, and with the authoritative air of an
+Alexander, desired that his announcement should appear in the front
+column, and the _usual_ laudatory paragraph in another part of the
+paper. He was informed that his advertisement could be inserted, but
+that the proprietors had determined never to admit such insidious
+clap-trap notices, which, while they injured the resident tradesman,
+and were looked upon as the _bona fide_ opinions of the editor,
+generally referred to matters of which he could not honestly express
+a favourable opinion. The pedlar stood aghast! “What,” said he, “not
+put in a paragraph? Why, I’d sooner pay for a good paragraph than care
+about the advertisement at all.”
+
+His _professional_ visit was of unusually short duration, finding it
+impossible to bribe the press to trumpet forth his praise.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ “It is a strange thing to behold what gross errors and extreme
+ absurdities men do commit for want of a friend to tell them of
+ the same! The help of good counsel is that which setteth business
+ straight.”—BACON.
+
+
+I have, for many years, visited nearly every town in the kingdom,
+on commercial pursuits, at intervals of six months; and wherever I
+have met with the brazen advertisers alluded to, I have issued public
+notices, and inserted counter-advertisements, to put my friends and
+the public on their guard against such egregious imposition. Such
+a step, spiritedly carried out, has uniformly proved successful,
+and the notable pretenders have decamped from Bath to Norwich, from
+Brighton to Carlisle, sometimes assuming other names, or changing the
+initial letters; as S. and E., who had been vapouring away at Norwich,
+suddenly flitted to Margate, and there announced themselves as C. and
+B., the celebrated opticians from the Royal Eye Infirmaries, &c. &c.
+For low cunning and unprincipled trickery, such adventurers as I have
+described, stand unrivalled. Upon several occasions they have echoed my
+cautions, and copied, word for word, remarks levelled at themselves;
+hoping thus to shield themselves from detection, and confuse the public
+in identifying them; as the pick-pocket, when the hue and cry is
+raised of stop-thief, joins in the shout, in order to allay suspicion.
+
+It is in the provincial towns that such persons are most successful;
+the game is seldom played in the metropolis with so much effect; and
+although some of the tribe have been lately launching forth dashing
+advertisements in the London papers, it is understood to be with the
+design of attracting country customers, and overwhelming their dupes
+with an idea of their _professional_ importance, rather than with the
+expectation of effecting sales in London.
+
+When they sally forth to “fleece the natives,” who would think of
+questioning the abilities of such renowned opticians, armed with
+testimonials, credentials, and certificates! _so_ recommended by the
+newspapers, and patronized by such eminent practitioners?!!
+
+The fair trader would defend himself at the same time that he unmasked
+imposture, and protected his customers, if, when his neighbourhood is
+infested by such mountebanks, he advertised the simple truth. He would
+assuredly find
+
+    “That those base slaves, ’ere yet the fight be done, pack up.”
+
+A few extracts from the advertisements I have inserted in the London
+and provincial journals may be useful as specimens.
+
+ “Spectacle swindlers are now practising deceptions upon the public
+ to an unparalleled extent! They are principally wandering tribes of
+ licensed hawkers, who change their names, or shift their residences,
+ as occasion requires; copy the language of honest men, and puff off,
+ as their own inventions, the very articles, which, without a shade of
+ difference, have been regularly made and sold for above two hundred
+ years. To accomplish their designs of fleecing the public, they
+ resort to the most pompous and extravagant eulogiums on the peculiar
+ virtues of their ‘Saxon Crystals!’ ‘Patent Preservers!’ ‘Tinted
+ Amber!’ and ‘Light Refractors!’ ridiculous terms, which _they have_
+ invented, and which, embellished with a long list of distinguished
+ names, are calculated to entrap, and impose upon the uninitiated.
+
+ “Spectacle wearers, beware! those tricksters, with all their lofty
+ pretensions, are ignorant quacks. Their charges for the trash they
+ foist upon you, are beyond all precedent, enormous!
+
+ “The flagrant impositions daily practised on Spectacle wearers, by
+ hawkers and ignorant pretenders, imperatively demand exposure. The
+ boasting charlatans are certainly indebted to the silence of practical
+ opticians for their successful career, since persons requiring optical
+ aid eagerly listen to whoever promises most. To those who have been
+ victimized not another word is necessary to direct their choice,
+ but experience calls on all who need optical remedies to profit by
+ advice, and procure such important scientific instruments only of
+ the known working optician or his resident agent, and thereby insure
+ every advantage—better quality, lower charges, a liberal trial, and an
+ exchange if not approved of.”
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+“The patronage such individuals quote has never been bestowed, or has
+been surreptitiously obtained. Mr. C. has documents from celebrated
+oculists stating this fact most unequivocally, and authorizing him
+to give publicity thereto. He has the gratification of knowing that
+his efforts to expose such fraudulent delusions, to defend the fair
+trader, and to protect the public, have been properly appreciated
+by the reflecting and intelligent, who perceive the impropriety of
+countenancing persons who resort to falsehood, misrepresentation, and
+dishonest artifices; and allow the superior claim of the respectable
+resident shopkeeper, whose charges are fair, whose desire and interest
+it obviously must be to supply the article which will suit and to make
+any exchange or alteration if required.
+
+“Beware of the tricksters who blazon forth their pretended discoveries,
+in terms which, however absurd and ridiculous, nevertheless catch
+the attention; and combined with an array of great names, unbounded
+assurance, and various manœuvring devices, enable them to foist their
+worthless wares upon purchasers at the most exorbitant prices.
+
+“Such charlatans are the pests of science, and speculators on the
+credulity of society.
+
+“Mr. C. feels assured that his friends, and the public generally, will
+remark the necessity there is for some one, practically acquainted
+with the science of optics, to come forward and state the real facts
+of the case, at a time when bombast and chicanery, supported by the
+most shameless falsehoods, are put forth by itinerant hawkers and
+pedlars—the pretended discoverers of a superior method of constructing
+glasses for spectacles. He is anxious to expose such deceptions, and
+to protect the Spectacle wearer from the gross frauds and impositions
+continually practised in the sale of Spectacles at enormous prices,
+although made of the cheapest material, and in the most inferior manner.
+
+“Such Spectacles are productive of endless annoyance to the wearer;
+and, instead of rendering any assistance are instruments of torture,
+producing the most serious consequences to the sight, owing to their
+imperfect construction and the misapplication of their powers to the
+purposes required.
+
+“Persons requiring Spectacles are earnestly recommended to seek advice
+and assistance from opticians or their agents, of known respectability
+and experience, who are capable of judging what kind of lenses are
+necessary in each particular case: and to avoid those charlatans whose
+ignorance of optics is only equalled by their impudence, in obtruding
+themselves into houses, and alarming the occupiers by declaring that
+they perceive serious defects in their eyes, the formation of cataract,
+incipient blindness, &c., in order to give an exalted idea of the value
+of the remedies they offer.”
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+“T. H., Watch and Clock maker, agent to Cox, optician of London, begs
+to caution his friends against the impositions of itinerant hawkers,
+who boast of exalted patronage, wonderful discoveries, and superior
+skill in optics, professing to suit the sight by merely examining ‘the
+figure of the eye.’ Such individuals frequently enter into respectable
+houses, and terrify ladies and gentlemen by declaring that they
+perceive serious defects in their eyes, and, of course, that nothing
+can avert the evil but their wonderful Spectacles; sometimes pretending
+that their only motive in calling is from their wish to relieve mankind
+from the chances of losing their sight, and to enable them to see as
+well at fourscore years of age as at twenty, while their main object
+is to fill their pockets at the expense of those who have fallen into
+their snare.
+
+“The fallacy of their statements may always be ascertained by the
+parties taking medical opinion of known value, and consulting a
+respectable optician.
+
+“It cannot be too generally known that the best glass lenses,
+constructed on the most accurate principles, suited to the purposes of
+vision, and worked by hand, can be had of all respectable opticians,
+at from one shilling and sixpence to three shillings per pair, shewing
+that there can be no occasion for persons, who require a change of
+glasses in their spectacles, to pay a guinea or thirty shillings, and
+give up their old pebbles or glasses into the bargain.
+
+“A trick was practised at Brighton, during the season of 1834, which
+shews that those certificated gentry do not hesitate at trifles.
+
+“Two Jews, licensed hawkers, inserted glowing advertisements in the
+Brighton newspapers, couched in their usual bombastic style, but naming
+_one gentleman_ only as having taken up his residence at Brighton, and
+stating that he would wait upon the nobility and gentry with a splendid
+stock of his _wonderful_ and _improved_ Spectacles.
+
+“A man called at the houses of the gentry, made many sales at the
+usual swindling prices, and disarmed all suspicions by inviting the
+purchasers to call at his residence, and make any exchange they
+pleased. In some cases, where the price was objected to, or the
+parties were taken by surprise, not having suspected that they wanted
+Spectacles until this _experienced professional optician_ told them
+they did, they were, notwithstanding imposed upon, ‘for,’ said he,
+‘to prove that I am anxious to preserve your sight, which is rapidly
+leaving you, and cataract is growing in your eyes, these Spectacles,
+which are five pounds per pair, I will leave you at half-price, and
+you may pay me the balance at any time.’ This offer appeared so very
+liberal that it succeeded in several instances, and, it is scarcely
+necessary to say, left to the hawker forty shillings profit, five
+pounds being only mentioned to get more easily the smaller sum.
+
+“But the most profitable part of the scheme is yet to be told. Those
+who purchased soon found that something was wrong—the patent preservers
+gave great uneasiness to the eyes, which, suffused with tears, seemed
+to grieve at the simplicity and credulity of their owners. The
+residence of Mr. —— was besieged with complaining purchasers, who,
+when their turn arrived, were ushered into the presence of the other
+of the partners, and as the person who had sold them the Spectacles
+promised to make any exchange they required, they asked for a pair
+which would suit their sight, or a return of the money paid. The man
+they now saw looked at them, and asked, ‘Am I the person who sold you
+the spectacles?’ ‘Why, no,’ was the reply, ‘I cannot say you were the
+gentleman, but he was uncommonly like you, and he told me he would
+exchange the Spectacles if they did not suit.’
+
+“‘Then you had better find him and compel him to do so, for the trash
+he has sold you will destroy your eyes and ruin your sight. He is an
+impostor; I know nothing of him.’ ‘Bless me,’ said the disappointed
+purchaser, ‘what a scandalous shame! what would you advise me to do
+now, Sir?’
+
+“‘Why, _my_ Spectacles are produced after twenty years of deep study
+and research, and manufactured, under my own eyes, upon improved
+principles, yet I only ask fifty shillings per pair; but I am sorry for
+you and though those you have bought are vile rubbish, I will take them
+in exchange, and thirty-five shillings for my Patent Tinted Crystals,
+which are the only Spectacles proper for the eyes.’ Thus the reader
+will perceive a double imposition was effected. A., after performing
+his part in the scheme of deception, kept out of the way until B. had
+completed the fleecing of the nobility, gentry, and public, and in a
+few weeks the _resident_ opticians were on their way to other places,
+chuckling at their success, and inventing fresh plans of operation.”
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Page after page has been pirated from the works of eminent authors,
+and palmed upon the public as their own composition; consequently,
+though the advice may be excellent, the parties from whom it appears to
+emanate are vile plagiarists, whose _practice_ is quite uninfluenced
+thereby. When imposture disguises itself in such a plausible form the
+difficulty of detection is increased, therefore our best security
+against deception is to transact business with men of known reputation.
+The resident tradesman has a character for fair and honourable dealing
+to maintain. He can be appealed to if any exchange or alteration is
+requisite, and the spirit of fair competition, now abroad, is the best
+security against overcharge from him; while the itinerant vender and
+pompous advertiser has to repay himself for such forced and expensive
+means of getting custom by exacting great prices, pushing off coarse
+and inferior goods, and practising any dishonest trick rather than not
+effect a sale of his wares. It may be said, with great truth, “his
+articles are not cried up because they are things that ought to be
+desired, but they are desired because they are generally cried up.”
+
+The Liverpool Mercury of Friday, Sep. 15th, 1834, has some remarks
+on this subject, which, as they are important and appropriate to our
+purpose, I transcribe:—
+
+ “We beg to caution our readers against the arts of all those who
+ profess to supply the public with superior Spectacles; we have been
+ for many years connected with the business, and we can assure the
+ public that the Spectacle glasses sold by the advertising eye quacks
+ are precisely the same as those provided by any respectable optician,
+ the only difference being in the price. The charlatan varies his
+ charge according to the gullibility of his dupes; sometimes he puts
+ up with double the proper and regular price, but more frequently he
+ exacts three or four times more than a regular and honest optician
+ charges. We recollect a once famous optical quack, in London, who
+ made a large fortune by cheating the public. He advertised _his_
+ superior glasses, which he assured the public were all ground to the
+ true parabolic curve by his own hand, and for each of these glasses
+ he charged four shillings, whilst the working optician who lived a
+ few doors from him, and who furnished him with all his glasses, could
+ only get nine pence for the very article for which the puffing eye
+ doctor charged four shillings. As we knew both the parties we pledge
+ ourselves to the fact, and, in conclusion, we advise the public to
+ have nothing to do with quacks, whether they be scientific quacks, who
+ are plentiful enough, or other quacks, who swindle people out of their
+ health and cash at the same time.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+  “Who will, for him, may boast of sense,
+  His better guard is impudence.”
+
+
+In the early part of the present year I addressed letters to several
+gentlemen who figure in the list of patrons to the advertising
+Spectacle quacks, and enclosed a copy of the advertisements in which
+their names had appeared as giving unqualified approval to the
+trickster’s _invention_.
+
+From the specimens I have given of such advertisements it is
+unnecessary to give a verbatim copy again here; and as the truths which
+this correspondence elicits apply to one and all of the puffing tribe,
+I have omitted the names of the individuals particularly alluded to,
+my object being to expose a _system_ of villainy, and not to denounce
+_one_ or _two_ rapacious creatures, while the rest of the clique escape
+detection.
+
+Therefore, although many of the remarks in these pages may seem to
+have only a local or particular reference, they are applicable to the
+whole tribe of _locusts_, and describe the species too definitely to
+admit of mistake. The characters sketched are not caricatures, but,
+unfortunately for the eyes of her majesty’s lieges, really exist _in
+propriâ personâ_.
+
+Feeling assured that the Duke of Wellington would rejoice to see an
+exposure of such tricksters, I forwarded to him a copy of Spectacle
+Secrets, and the following acknowledgment was promptly returned:—
+
+  _Walmer Castle_, _Nov. 11, 1838_.
+
+ The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr. Cox, and has
+ received his letter and the work referred to: he is much obliged to
+ Mr. Cox for the communication.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Copy of a Letter to FREDERICK TYRELL, Esq.
+
+ SIR,—The advertisement enclosed frequently appears in the daily and
+ weekly newspapers, to which, as your name is attached, I beg to direct
+ your attention, and solicit an answer to the following questions at
+ your earliest convenience.
+
+ 1st.—Have you proved the superior efficacy of the Spectacles, (as
+ stated in the advertisement), and consider they merit your unqualified
+ approbation?
+
+ 2nd.—Will you oblige me by stating what peculiar advantages you
+ consider them to possess over the usual Spectacles, manufactured by
+ the London opticians?
+
+ 3rd.—Does your approval extend to all the Spectacles sold by the
+ advertiser, or to those which he designates Amber Spectacles only?
+
+  I remain, Sir, yours obediently,
+  GEORGE COX.
+
+ To Frederick Tyrell, Esq.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mr. TYRELL’S Reply.
+
+  _17, New Bridge Street, Blackfriars._
+  _January 29th, 1838._
+
+ SIR,—In reply to your letter respecting Mr. —— I have to state, First,
+ That I am not acquainted with any institution which is designated “The
+ Royal Eye Infirmary,” to which he states that he is optician. The
+ Royal Ophthalmic Hospital, in Moorfields, is sometimes so called, but
+ Mr. —— is not optician to that institution.
+
+ Secondly, That Mr. —— has not any permission from me to make use of
+ my name in advertisements, as approving of any glass, spectacles, or
+ other articles he may either manufacture or sell. And thirdly, That I
+ do _not_ consider his glasses to be in any respect superior to those
+ manufactured by other persons in the trade.
+
+ You are at liberty to make use of this communication in any way you
+ deem proper to counteract Mr. ——’s advertisements.
+
+  I remain yours respectfully,
+  FREDERICK TYRELL.
+
+ To Mr. George Cox.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+J. Hodson, Esq., consulting Oculist to the Eye Infirmary, Birmingham,
+resolved upon coming to London to give me his disclaimer, rather than
+incur any chance of misrepresentation from an unjustifiable use being
+made of his signature, he being an entire stranger to me before I
+addressed him upon this subject.
+
+He authorizes me to state that Mr. —— has no authority or right
+whatever to make use of his name. About four years since a man came
+to his surgery, and introducing himself as the inventor of roseate
+tint preservers and amber spectacles, showed him a pair in silver
+frames, and, expatiating upon their wonderful properties, mentioned
+the names of several leading surgeons and oculists who had inserted
+their signatures in a book which he handed to Mr. Hodson, who, without
+suspecting the design of the knave, added his to the list, for the
+same reason, he said, that folks do so at a watering place, a library,
+or as having visited or seen some particular exhibition—in fact,
+because it was customary to do so. Four or five days afterwards the
+same individual called again, apparently in great haste, and requested
+Mr. H. to lend him two sovereigns, as he had immediate occasion for
+that sum. He produced a pair of amber spectacles, and said, “I will
+leave these as security until I return the money.” Mr. H. began now to
+suspect the fellow, and guessed it to be very unlikely that he would
+trouble himself to redeem the Spectacles (worth about twelve shillings)
+if he succeeded in raising two pounds upon them; he therefore referred
+him to a pawnbroker in the neighbourhood, whose business it was to
+enter into such arrangements, which were, clearly quite foreign to his,
+Mr. H.’s practice.
+
+Mr. Hodson has ever since regretted having (though inadvertently)
+given his signature, which, as the reader will perceive, is solicited
+as a mere matter of form, and is then made the most unwarrantable use
+of, involving the parties in many dilemmas, and exposing them to the
+ridicule and reprehension of every intelligent observer.
+
+The fact is, if one signature of an eminent person can be procured by
+dint of false representation or plausible pretence, the rest follow as
+a matter of course; thus Mr. Hodson signed his name, seeing that some
+of the “heads of colleges” were there inscribed. Mr. Soden, of Bath,
+gave his signature because Mr. Ledsam had given his; and Mr. Ledsam
+signed because Mr. Hodson had done so.
+
+Mr. Alexander, Oculist to the Royal Family, was waited upon by one of
+the crafty crew, whose object was to get his signature at all hazards.
+The fellow fawned and entreated, but was sternly resisted by Mr. A. who
+showed him the door, and declared, if he presumed to make use of his
+name, in his quack advertisements, he would set a solicitor to work
+immediately.
+
+Copy of a Letter from ROBERT KEATE, Esq., Surgeon in Ordinary to Her
+Majesty.
+
+  _Albemarle Street,_ _July 17, 1838_.
+
+ SIR,—Although I do not consider myself bound to reply to the questions
+ put to me by you, being in utter ignorance of the use which you
+ propose to make of my answer; yet I can have no hesitation in saying
+ that I think Mr. —— has been guilty of an unpardonable liberty in
+ publishing my name, without my sanction, and more especially in
+ appending it to the document (a copy of which you sent to me), and
+ to which I have never affixed my signature. I was requested to look
+ at M ——’s amber spectacles, and I saw no others; and looking through
+ them on a day when the sun shone brightly, they appeared to me to
+ soften the light more than crystal or pebbles; and seeing the names of
+ many eminent surgeons and oculists attached to various certificates,
+ I wrote and signed what I have stated above, and I believe no more;
+ namely, that the amber spectacles seemed to _soften the light_ more
+ than the pebbles.[16] I am not aware of having seen any other sort;
+ and certainly I have not ventured to sign my _approval_ of these, or
+ of any others.
+
+  I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
+  ROBERT KEATE.
+
+ To Mr. George Cox.
+
+I could give the disclaimers of other gentlemen who have been trepanned
+into giving their signatures, which are afterwards so pompously paraded
+by the testimonialed and certificated adventurers; but these will
+suffice to illustrate the working of the system.
+
+  “A wise physician, skill’d our wounds to heal,
+  Is more than armies to the public weal.”—POPE.
+
+I cannot but feel gratified, that this correspondence, while it has
+substantiated my arguments, affords an opportunity for those gentlemen
+to explain the real truth of the matter, and to exonerate themselves
+from the contaminating connexion, which appeared to place their
+reputation for that “quality called honesty” in jeopardy.
+
+I have received several impromptu effusions from humorous
+correspondents in different parts of the kingdom, where I have been and
+unmasked the impositions of spectacle cheats. One says—
+
+    “They _make_ not spectacles, you say;
+      With that I can’t agree,
+    Both wife and I have worn their trash,
+      Now spectacles are we.”—QUIZ.
+
+Another—
+
+ “A celebrated chemist has ascertained, by very accurate analysis, that
+ there is enough brass in the countenances of the spectacle men of
+ Duke’s Place and Petticoat Lane to make spectacle-frames for all the
+ spinsters in the neighbourhood.”—SATIRIST.
+
+I have, of course, laid myself open to the furious and vindictive
+hostility of those quacks, whose nefarious practices are exposed,
+and whose career will be checked in proportion as this treatise is
+circulated and dispassionately perused. But, secure of the approbation
+of all my readers who will avail themselves of the information
+contained in these pages, I may conclude with satisfaction, since
+
+    Friends I have made whom envy must commend,
+    And not one foe whom I would wish a friend.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+R. COTTLE, PRINTER, BASINGSTOKE.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[16] When the eyes are distressed and overwhelmed with light, _any_
+shade or screen is viewed with satisfaction. Coloured glasses “soften
+the light” more naturally, and present to the eye equal and parallel
+surfaces: parasols, veils, and even opaque substances, may thus be said
+to shield the eye, and “modify bright and strong light,” but it would
+be as ridiculous to consider these as fit mediums for the ordinary
+purposes of vision, as it is to select amber for the purpose.
+
+
+
+
+  Transcriber’s Notes
+
+  pg 43 Changed: and the eminent individval himself
+             to: and the eminent individual himself
+
+  pg 45 Changed: ground in a pecular manner
+             to: ground in a peculiar manner
+
+  pg 45 Changed: the only real original manufacter of them
+             to: the only real original manufacturer of them
+
+  pg 49 Changed: received from the first familes
+             to: received from the first families
+
+  pg 60 Changed: charge according to the gullibilty of his dupes
+             to: charge according to the gullibility of his dupes
+
+  pg 61 Changed: being to expose a system of villany
+             to: being to expose a system of villainy
+
+  pg 62 Changed: The Royal Opthalmic Hospital, in Moorfields
+             to: The Royal Ophthalmic Hospital, in Moorfields
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75415 ***
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75415 ***</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 85%">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover">
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h1>SPECTACLE<br>
+SECRETS.</h1>
+<br>
+
+<p class="center no-indent fs120 wsp">BY GEORGE COX.</p>
+<br>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+<p class="center no-indent bold fs90">SECOND EDITION.</p>
+<hr class="r5">
+<br>
+
+<p class="center no-indent" style="line-height: 1.7em"><span class="fs120">LONDON:</span><br>
+PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 128, HOLBORN HILL;<br>
+<span class="fs70">AND SOLD BY</span><br>
+COX, 100, NEWGATE STREET;<br>
+HAMILTON, ADAMS, &amp; CO., PATERNOSTER ROW;<br>
+COX, 5, BARBICAN;<br>
+<span class="fs70">AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS AND OPTICIANS.</span><br>
+1844.
+</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p class="center no-indent fs70">BASINGSTOKE:—PRINTED BY ROBERT COTTLE.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="no1" style="max-width: 31.125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/no1.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">N<sup>o</sup>. 1.</p></figcaption>
+</figure>
+<br>
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="no2" style="max-width: 29.9375em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/no2.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">N<sup>o</sup>. 2.</p></figcaption>
+</figure>
+<br>
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="no3" style="max-width: 22.9375em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/no3.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">N<sup>o</sup>. 3.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent"><em>Anti Pressure</em></p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent"><em>Solid</em></p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent"><em>Blue Steel.</em></p></figcaption>
+</figure>
+<br>
+
+<div class="row">
+<div class="column figcenter">
+  <img src="images/no4.jpg" alt="" style="width:60%">
+<p class="center no-indent fs80">N<sup>o</sup>. 4.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="column">
+  <img src="images/no5.jpg" alt="" style="width:60%">
+<p class="center no-indent fs80">N<sup>o</sup>. 5.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="column">
+  <img src="images/no6.jpg" alt="" style="width:60%">
+<p class="center no-indent fs80">N<sup>o</sup>. 6.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="column">
+  <img src="images/no7.jpg" alt="" style="width:60%">
+<p class="center no-indent fs80">N<sup>o</sup>. 7.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="column">
+  <img src="images/no8.jpg" alt="" style="width:60%">
+<p class="center no-indent fs80">N<sup>o</sup>. 8.</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Every</span> effort of human ingenuity professing to remove or lessen
+pain and inconvenience, is, naturally enough, hailed with approbation,
+and the public require not so much to be aroused to estimate
+fully the advantages proposed, as to be guarded against
+implicit belief and heedless confidence in the value and importance
+of the remedy. It is, however, of the utmost importance to be
+accurately informed what kind of benefit we may fairly expect
+from the use of the given means, and to what extent this benefit
+may be obtained; and yet the man who steps forward to state
+this plainly and fairly, too often fails of the success which his
+undertaking deserves. Experience proves that such endeavours
+have been contemned by some, looked upon with cold indifference
+by others, and viewed with suspicion by nearly all. We are too
+apt to suspect interested motives, to doubt the sincerity, and
+undervalue the abilities of men, who have devoted their lives, and
+the force of their talents, to a particular pursuit; and then, as
+though this cunning incredulity was closely allied to implicit credence
+in the wildest chimeras, we become ready listeners, and
+passive victims, to pompous and plausible charlatans, who make
+the largest promises, alike indifferent to the practicability or usefulness
+of their specifics. “It is a great mistake,” said an able
+English statesman of the last century, “to suppose men harmless
+because they are blockheads; the dunce thinks neither of country
+nor of consequences in the pursuit of his petty interests and passions,
+which may, and often do, lead him to work the greatest
+public calamities.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</span></p>
+
+<p>I have refrained from advancing any crude theoretical opinions,
+which might fairly be questioned. The information conveyed
+in these pages is of a practical character; has stood the purifying
+test of time; and, being based upon the immutable principles of
+optical science, courts every enquiry and challenges all investigation.</p>
+
+<p>My object has been to provide the public with a compendium of
+sound and standard information on this most interesting and
+essential subject, in order that, possessing themselves of the
+truth, and becoming conversant with the real merits of the question,
+they may no longer be the victims of ignorant, designing,
+and knavish speculators, who so mercilessly practise on their
+credulity. I have freely availed myself of facts and observations
+with which I have become familiar in the course of my own
+experience and connexion with an establishment of more than
+one hundred years’ standing, and, at the same time, have endeavoured
+to condense in one publication the essence of many voluminous
+treatises.</p>
+
+<p>“It is only by condensing, simplifying, and arranging in the
+most lucid manner possible, the acquired knowledge of past
+generations, that those to come can be enabled to avail themselves
+to the full of the advanced point from which they will start.”</p>
+
+<p>I have only to add, that though I would not desire to offend the
+critical acumen of any of my readers, yet, having but little leisure,
+and those moments of rest being snatched from the busy whirl
+of commercial pursuits, I have been much more anxious to give
+solid information in language universally understood, and divested
+of technicalities, than to employ nice set terms, chosen to please
+the critic’s curious ear.</p>
+
+<p class="right fs120">
+GEORGE COX.<br>
+</p>
+<br>
+
+<p>The first edition of this work having found a ready sale, spite
+of all the opposition and abuse lavished against it by the itinerant
+<em>opticians</em>, I have reprinted it with such improvements as the kindness
+of friends and my own experience have suggested.</p>
+
+<p>
+128, <span class="smcap">Holborn Hill, London</span>,<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 3em"><em>January, 1844</em>.</span><br>
+</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="Reviewers_Opinions_of_this_Work">Reviewers’ Opinions of this Work.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p>“The information which this little book contains is really very
+good and very applicable to the instruction both of the short-sighted,
+who never reflect before they buy, and of the very long-sighted,
+who, from excess of cunning in the search of great bargains,
+are, like our friend Moses in the Vicar of Wakefield, open to very
+<em>gross</em> impositions in the matter of spectacles and their very <em>chagrin</em>
+cases. Those who are not opticians or oculists will do well to read
+the book before they commit themselves in the purchase of glasses
+either from itinerant or stationary quacks. But this is not all:
+though a simple monograph of the frauds of one trade, the book
+may be generalized into “a manual of the whole art of puffing,”
+and an exposure of the silly credulity of the public in all its
+branches. Mr. Cox also discloses some of the machinery of newspaper
+puffing in a way which almost tempts us to claim it as “our
+thunder,” it is so much in unison with our published opinions on
+the subject.”</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<cite>Athenæum.</cite><br>
+</p>
+
+<p>“In this well-written work Mr. Cox has given a popular description
+of the eye, and the adaptation of spectacles to correct
+constitutional defects or organic disease: by attention to a few
+simple rules which he lays down, any one may effectually fortify
+himself against the artful representations of dishonest dealers in
+spectacles “made to sell.” The public is indebted to Mr. Cox
+for having exposed the tricks of the insidious marauders in several
+towns in which they were practising their impositions, and his
+tract contains some correspondence between him and several eminent
+surgeons, from which it appears that they had been represented
+as vouching for pretended improvements in spectacles, of
+which they either knew nothing at all, or with regard to which they
+themselves had been deceived by the fraudulent pretenders.”</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<cite>Christian Advocate.</cite><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span></p>
+
+<p>“This is a useful little work, treating on a subject of universal
+importance—namely, defining the laws by which deficiency of sight
+can be assisted, founded on scientific principles, and aided by extensive
+observation in a long practice; we would recommend a perusal
+of the pamphlet to such as are about to seek the aid of the
+maker of spectacles.”</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<cite>Morning Advertiser.</cite><br>
+</p>
+
+<p>“This little <em>brochure</em> is correct, ingenious, and useful: moreover,
+it is valuable as exposing the gross ignorance, impostures,
+and frauds of Jews, pedlars, and other locomotive quacks. The
+humbug of <em>amber</em> spectacles, <em>coloured</em> pebbles, clarified crystals,
+&amp;c., is here thoroughly exploded. Altogether the information in
+this pamphlet is well deserving of attention.”</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<cite>Aldine Magazine.</cite><br>
+</p>
+
+<p>“An amusing exposure of the puffing and swindling systems
+pursued by some self-styled opticians, from which besides may be
+gathered a good deal of sound, practical information.”</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<cite>Era.</cite><br>
+</p>
+
+<p>“If every body’s sight were impaired, we should strongly hope
+that this little treatise would become universally known; but as
+we have reason to believe there are some people in the world who
+can see a little, we shall only address ourselves to the former, to
+whom we can confidently recommend the perusal of this talented
+work. Besides a great deal of necessary and sound information
+on the use and nature of spectacles, we find a number of <em>exposés</em>
+of the tricks pursued by many unprincipled persons styling themselves
+opticians, which is put forth by the author in a very distinct
+manner.”</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<cite>Blackwood’s Lady’s Magazine.</cite><br>
+</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+
+<table class="autotable">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl"></td>
+<td class="tdr fs70">Page.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Invention of Spectacles and Burning Glasses</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Examination of Opticians—Artful Impositions</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_2">2</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Duke of Wellington and the Bubble Schemes</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Basis of Optical Knowledge—Physiology of the Eyes</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Failure of Sight and the Application of Spectacles</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Lenses—how to determine their Focal Lengths</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Brazil Pebbles—Periscopic and Parallel Lenses—Process of</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Working—Tests of Quality—and Experiment</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Railroad Spectacles—Neutral Tint Shades</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Country-made Spectacles—Trial Box of Sight</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">A Visit to the Optician—Rules for selecting Spectacles</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Spectacle Frames—Russian Remedy for Short Sight</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Solid Blue Steel Spectacles</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Anti-pressure Spectacles—Single Eye Glasses injurious</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Prices of Spectacles</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Specious Quackery—Testimonial Writers</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Amber Spectacles analysed—Puffing Advertisement</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33">33</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Opinions of Dr. Neill Arnott, Dollond, Curtis, &amp;c.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Absurdity and Ignorance of Puffing Advertisers,</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Instances of Gross Imposition—Clarified Crystals and Coloured Pebbles!</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Naval and Military Officers—Definition of Law</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Ladies and Spectacles—Persevering Roguery</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">An Old Clothes Man Metamorphosed</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Specimens of Puffing Advertisements,</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Royal Patronage—Cataract Alarmists</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Abstract of Act of Parliament</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Newspaper Paragraphs,</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Provincial and Metropolitan Scheming</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Public Cautions—Tricks at Brighton</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Liverpool Mercury—Parabolic Cheats</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Correspondence with the Duke of Wellington</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">—— Frederick Tyrell, Esq. J. Hodson, Esq.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Signatures of J. Soden, Esq., J. F. Ledsam, Esq., —— Alexander, Esq.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Correspondence with Robert Keate, Esq.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">Pretended Discoveries, Humorous Scraps, &amp;c.</td>
+<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent fs200 bold wsp">SPECTACLE SECRETS.</p>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“Science should be stripped of every thing that tends to clothe it
+in a strange and repulsive garb, and especially every thing that, to
+keep up an appearance of superiority in its professors over the rest of
+mankind, assumes an unnecessary guise of profundity and obscurity,
+should be sacrificed without mercy.”—<span class="smcap">Sir I. F. W. Herschel.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Spectacles</span> and side-saddles, we are quaintly informed,
+became common in England in the reign of Richard the
+Second. The ancients, however, knew the power of
+burning-glasses, and one cunning rogue, we are told,
+discovered a new way to pay old debts, by means of a
+round stone or glass used in lighting of fires, with which
+he melted the bond, written, as usual in those days, on
+wax. Their burning glasses were spheres, either solid
+or full of water, their foci were consequently very short
+and confused. A long interval occurred before spectacles
+were constructed, and three hundred years elapsed
+between the invention of spectacles and telescopes.</p>
+
+<p>Our eyes should have our nicest and most tender<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span>
+care, since it is by them we are familiarized with objects
+of the most exquisite interest and beauty, abounding on
+the earth we inhabit, and in the starry firmament above
+us:—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“My soul, while Nature’s beauties feast mine eyes,</div>
+    <div class="verse indent1">To Nature’s God contemplative shall rise.”—<span class="smcap">Dodsley.</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent">The faculty of sight should be estimated and regarded
+by us with more than ordinary care, when we reflect that
+it is the medium through which the most exalted and
+gratifying impressions are received; and our watchful
+regard to its healthful preservation and agreeable exercise
+is the more required from the consideration, that
+while to its admirable organization and delicate sense
+of perception we stand so much indebted, those very
+qualities render it extremely sensitive to injudicious
+treatment.</p>
+
+<p>It would be a wholesome, fair, and proper regulation,
+to restrain all from practising as opticians but those
+practically conversant with the production and application
+of lenses for the purpose of aiding the exercise of
+sight. It is considered indispensable for the surgeon
+and medical practitioner to prepare for his profession by
+a course of study, reading, and practical operations, and
+to be subjected to an ordeal where his capabilities are
+examined and tested. Such an arrangement, though it
+<em>may</em> sometimes be abused, guarantees to us practitioners
+who understand their duties; and thus are the many
+“ills which human flesh is heir to” alleviated and subdued,
+while those unfortunates who are practised upon
+by the empiric and miracle-monger, have their calamities
+aggravated, and their sufferings increased.</p>
+
+<p>It is a question often mooted, how far it is the duty
+of a just and equal government to interfere in such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span>
+cases for the protection of its subjects: this, however, is
+evident, that whatever restrictive laws are framed, if
+they are attempted to be enforced while a want of information
+prevails upon the subject, the very people for
+whose benefit and protection they are introduced, will,
+likely enough, view them with distrust and suspicion, and,
+until the imposition has been unmasked, will look upon
+those who have assumed characters not their own, as
+persecuted individuals, entitled to their sympathy rather
+than their detestation. It is by diffusing information,
+and clearing away obscurity, that we shall erect the best
+safeguard against delusion. Those who are ignorant
+are consequently credulous, superstitious, and undefended
+against the tricks and subtleties of the artful and
+designing.</p>
+
+<p>If a book is published, our opinion is almost insensibly
+influenced by what the reviewers say of it. If a new
+association, a company, or enterprise of any kind is
+projected, we look to the list of directors, committee, and
+patrons. Our education and universal custom induces
+us to pay deference to those whom we suppose to be
+possessed of superior information, to be men of character
+and reputation, and entitled, from their position in
+society, to be regarded with respect.</p>
+
+<p>These legitimate feelings have been so poisoned and
+tampered with by those who have designedly entered into
+a conspiracy to hoodwink the people, and share the
+plunder; and again by the hardly less criminal apathy of
+others, who, without dividing the spoil, have suffered the
+trickery to pass unexposed; that professional and literary
+men cannot but perceive distrust and want of
+confidence in their decisions, now becoming general
+among the reflecting and intelligent classes of society,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span>
+who see that they have been trifled with, and treated as
+credulous dupes, and that they really have no guarantee
+for the merits of a production, the purity of a proposal, or
+the honesty or propriety of any measure to which distinguished
+names and lofty patronage are appended. The
+exposé of the practices of the railway, mining, and other
+bubble schemes illustrates this truth; and the secrets
+elicited during the discussion on Mr. Serjeant Talfourd’s
+Copyright Bill, clearly demonstrate how infamously the
+confidence of “a generous public” has been abused.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p>
+
+<p>The great and benevolent men who existed before us,
+and devoted their time and contemplations to the interesting
+science of optics, have fully and clearly demonstrated
+the laws which regulate the action of light, the
+cause and effect of luminous phenomena, and the principles
+upon which vision depends. We have the conclusive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span>
+and unvarying results of their numberless experiments,
+performed under every modification of circumstances,
+to guide us in establishing principles and rules
+of action, which the studious and practical opticians of
+our own times have tested, and, ascertaining them to be
+free from error, now adopt and act upon them.</p>
+
+<p>The captious and consequential may complain of this
+admission, as tending to detract from the importance with
+which they might otherwise be regarded; but the optician,
+who deserves that name, is not anxious to array himself
+in borrowed plumage, nor to appropriate as his own that
+which rightfully belongs to others. Granted that we
+act upon settled and incontrovertible philosophical principles,
+is it not infinitely more gratifying to have the
+assurance of a correct result, than to be for ever experimentalizing
+without arriving at a satisfactory conclusion?
+The skilful surgeon and the talented engineer are guided
+in their operations by certain fixed and universal laws,
+yet no one will dispute that to perform the duties of
+either of those professions requires much application,
+skill, and expertness. Precisely so with the optician of
+the present day. He has fixed, universal, and certain data
+for his operations; and it is upon his intimate knowledge
+of these, and the careful and judicious application of
+them, that his success depends.</p>
+
+<p>When the healthy powers of vision begin to fail, we
+feel a tender and anxious concern to perpetuate the
+enjoyment we find to be so intimately dependent upon
+the uninterrupted exercise of sight, and are instinctively
+led to seek for a remedy. Much mischief will be
+avoided, and misapprehension removed, if we consider
+that in applying artificial aid to the eye, we have to do with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span>
+one of our most sensitive and easily deranged organs.
+The human eye is composed of a series of humours and
+membranes: the outer coating, called the <em>sclerotica</em> (<em>a</em>),
+see <em>Plate, Fig. <a href="#no1">1</a></em>, is exceedingly strong, and the muscles
+which move the eye are attached to it; the white of the
+eye is a portion of this coating. The <em>cornea</em> (<em>b</em>) arches
+out or projects from the eye-ball; it is transparent, and
+of a circular form. The next coating to the sclerotica
+is called the <em>choroides</em> (<em>c</em>); it has no muscular motion
+except at its extremities, near the front of the eye. The
+<em>iris</em> (<em>d</em>) is next apparent; it attaches itself to the sclerotica
+by a cellular substance called the <em>ciliary circle</em> (<em>e</em>).
+According to the colour of the iris the eye is termed
+black, blue, hazel, &amp;c. It is composed of two sets of
+muscular fibres, the one tending, like radii, towards a
+centre, the other forming a number of circles concentric
+with the same centre. The aperture in the iris is
+called the <em>pupil</em> (<em>f</em>); it is always round, but varies in
+diameter as the radial or the circular fibres of the iris
+are contracted or expanded, according to the quantity
+and quality of light it is required to admit, acting like a
+watchful centinel to regulate the amount of rays requisite
+to transmit a perfect and well-defined image of objects
+onwards to the brain, which, without its agency, would
+appear one undistinguishable mass of confusion. The
+chamber of the eye is darkened by the posterior surface
+of the choroid membrane having a lining of dark-coloured
+mucus, called the <em>pigmentum nigrum</em>. The last coating
+of the eye is the <em>retina</em> (<em>g</em>), a delicate and most important
+membrane in the construction of this noble instrument;
+it is an expansion of the <em>optic nerve</em> (<em>h</em>), directly
+emanating from the brain; and is spread like a net of
+exquisite delicacy all over the surface of the choroides,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span>
+terminating at the ciliary ligament. It receives the
+images of objects by means of the rays of light that enter
+at the pupil; it is transparent, but appears black on
+account of the dark pigmentum behind it. The optic
+nerve passes through a small aperture in the “<em>architectural
+dome</em>” containing the eye, and it conveys the
+impressions made on the retina into the depository of the
+brain, where the “very form and spirit of the scene is
+now conceived.” It is situated a little on one side of
+the centre of the eye, inclining towards the nose.</p>
+
+<p>To describe more minutely the various fibres, humours,
+and ciliary processes of the eye, or to enter more fully
+into its anatomical arrangement, would be incompatible
+with the design of this publication, which is intended for
+the “general reader,” and therefore so simplified as that
+it is hoped he cannot fail to understand. The three
+transparent humours enclosed by the coats of the eye,
+viz., the <em>aqueous</em> (<em>i</em>), the <em>chrystalline</em> (<em>k</em>), and the
+<em>vitreous</em> (<em>l</em>), are, however, too important to be passed
+over without some notice. The aqueous (<em>i</em>) humour it
+is which gives a protuberant figure to the cornea (<em>b</em>); it
+has a refractive power, similar to that of water, which it
+also resembles in appearance. The chrystalline (<em>k</em>)
+humour is more transparent than the purest chrystal;
+its form is that of a double convex lens, which it also
+resembles in its use, as it converges the rays which pass
+through it, from every visible object to its focus on the
+retina. It is suspended in a fine transparent sheathing.
+The shape or convexity of this natural lens alters occasionally,
+and shifts a little backwards or forwards in the
+eye, so as to adapt its focal distance from the retina
+to the different distances of objects. The vitreous
+humour is situated at the back of the chrystalline, filling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span>
+nearly three-fourths of the globe of the eye; it is surrounded
+by a thin capsule, which sends off a number of
+membranous processes into the vitreous substance, where
+they form cells, which, communicating with each other,
+give a high degree of firmness and tenacity to the whole.</p>
+
+<p><em>Fig. <a href="#no2">2</a>.</em> represents the eye at the time when spectacles
+are required, the cornea, or the chrystalline, or both,
+having lost a part of their natural convexity, consequent
+upon age or constitutional weakness. An object placed
+at the same distance from the eye as in the perfect eye,
+(<em>Fig. <a href="#no1">1</a></em>), has the focus carried beyond the retina. A
+convex lens applied to the eye compensates for this loss
+of capacity, and, converging the rays, corrects the focal
+distance, and the image is now imprinted naturally on
+the retina. The reverse of this takes place in the case
+of the short-sighted; the humours being <em>more</em> convex
+than in the perfect eye, the rays converge in a focus
+<em>before</em> they reach the retina. A concave lens carries
+the focus further on, and, by its aid, an object will be
+depicted perfectly on the retina.</p>
+
+<p>No. 4 represents a plano convex lens—5, a double
+convex—6, a plano concave—7, a double concave—8,
+a periscopic or meniscus lens.</p>
+
+<p>What grandeur and sublimity of contrivance is here
+blended with simplicity of action and power of expression!
+How indispensable to a full appreciation of the
+bounties of nature and the beauties of art by which we
+are surrounded! To be deficient of this heavenly gift is
+truly to have “wisdom at one entrance quite shut out.”</p>
+
+<p>Surely every consideration should influence us to
+treat this invaluable faculty with judicious care, instead
+of allowing it to be tortured and trifled with by the
+ignorant and unprincipled.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p>
+
+<p>Having surveyed the general construction, and glanced
+at the inimitable mechanism of those windows of the
+soul, we shall be better prepared to understand the
+reasoning, and to comprehend the principles upon which
+the science of optics is based. Those of my readers
+who have leisure to pursue this subject, will find new
+light, and more convincing illustrations attend their
+enquiry at every step. It is a subject abounding in
+beauty and interest, introducing us to new regions of
+sublimity and grandeur, where the contemplative mind
+will assuredly find “ample scope and verge enough” to
+gratify its most exalted anticipations. We have seen
+the admirable, yet at the same time delicate contrivances
+by which the functions of the eyes are performed.
+It cannot fail to have occurred to us, that a
+machine so beautiful and complete is liable to derangement
+and improper treatment by the wayward and the
+ignorant. If it is desirable that a person possessed of
+a well-constructed watch should understand its general
+action, and know what treatment it should have to
+keep it in sound and underanged order, still more
+essential is it that every individual should possess a
+clear and familiar knowledge of the nature of vision,
+and understand the requirements of the eyes. I cannot
+forbear indulging a sanguine hope that the circulation
+of this little manual will open the eyes of its readers to
+the simple facts of the case, and animate them to
+think and judge for themselves, instead of giving a
+ready ear to the marvellous and ridiculous tales, which,
+though, like the sailor’s tough yarn, so often told that the
+cheat believes them himself, are nevertheless utterly
+devoid of truth.</p>
+<br>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> In the month of August, 1838, the solicitor to the Duke of
+Wellington waited upon Sir Frederick Roe, at Bow-street, in reference
+to the use which had been made of his grace’s name by
+“The London Equitable Loan Company.” A gentleman, who
+was desirous of purchasing shares in the company, seeing the Duke
+of Wellington mentioned as patron, and that the account of the
+company was kept with the Bank of England, wrote to the Duke
+to ascertain if it were true that he was connected with the concern?
+The duke never had consented to become a patron, but, on the
+contrary, when asked to do so, answered that he was so situated
+that he could not comply with their request. On receiving the
+communication the duke wrote to Sir F. Roe, to see what could be
+done to guard the public against any transaction which might be
+entered into in consequence of the use made of his name; and in
+answer to a letter written by him to the Bank of England, he was
+informed “that no such company was known there, nor had
+they any account of the London Equitable Loan Company.” The
+publicity given to this manœuvre has no doubt saved many a
+family from enthralment and destitution.</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“The subject is of universal importance, since every man,
+woman, and child in the empire will probably require optical
+assistance.”—<span class="smcap">Abbott.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">The</span> eyes, when in a sound and healthy state, instinctively
+adjust themselves at a distance of twelve inches
+from a book or paper, when they are observing the
+same. This distance is found to be most natural and
+agreeable; for when we extend it to sixteen, twenty, or
+thirty inches, the chrystalline lens is stimulated to keep
+a distinct and clear perception, until, as the distance
+increases, the object becomes less and less perceptible.
+When we are compelled to extend this natural distance,
+experience difficulty in reading small characters, or find
+it necessary to get more light on what we are observing,
+we may safely conclude that artificial assistance is
+needed, and that, judiciously applied, the tendency to
+decay will be mildly arrested.</p>
+
+<p>The design of spectacles is to supply the loss of
+power which is experienced by the eyes at different
+periods of life, and arising from various causes. These
+productions of art are constructed with a close observance
+to, and act upon, the same principles as those by
+which the process of vision is regulated.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p>
+
+<p>Spectacles ought not to do more than maintain or
+preserve to us the capability of seeing at the natural
+distance. This is, in fact, all they are intended to
+effect. When the chrystalline lens of the eye, losing
+its convexity, fails to converge the rays of light, and
+bring them to their natural focus on the retina, an
+artificial lens, of suitable convexity, supplies to it this
+capability, and compensates for its gradual diminution
+of capacity. Thus lenses for assisting the sight are
+fashioned upon the optical principles so apparent in the
+mechanism of the eye itself, which, it will be observed,
+is neither round nor flat, but of that nicely moulded
+convexity which is indispensable for the performance of
+its functions. If lenses were either spheres or planes
+they likewise would be ineffective for the purpose
+proposed.</p>
+
+<p>There is not any material in existence beside pebble
+and glass, which is calculated for spectacle purposes.
+The pretended “improvements,” “pellucid lenses,”
+“refractive transparencies,” “patent amber,” “chrystal
+preservers,” &amp;c., are new-fangled terms, coined to entrap
+the uninitiated.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p>
+
+<p>Convex lenses are produced by a series of operations
+through which a glass or pebble passes, as shaping out
+from the rough piece, affixing them to the block or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span>
+frame on which they are worked, grinding their surfaces
+to the form and focus required, in brass or iron tools of
+the curvature or radius corresponding. Thus to produce
+a glass or pebble of any given focal length, we
+use a tool which is a portion of a sphere or globe of
+four, five, ten, or any other given radius, or half its diameter.
+For spectacles usually required, the focus of the
+pebble or glass, thus fashioned, varies from sixty inches
+down to five inches. The focus of a convex or magnifying
+glass is ascertained very readily, thus: hold the
+lens near to a white surface, as a sheet of writing
+paper, pinned to the side of the apartment opposite to
+the window; shift the lens gently backwards and forwards,
+until the objects before it, as the window frames,
+flower pots, or the Venetian blinds, are seen inverted
+upon the paper, clearly and distinctly measure the distance
+from the paper to the lens, and this distance is the
+focus: or, by placing a candle at the distance of twelve
+feet from the paper, and measuring, as before, when the
+reflected image of the flame is shown most accurately on
+the paper, we again have the focus denoted. The one
+method is as much practised as the other; though, in
+ordering a lens of a given focus, I would recommend a
+person always to state the method by which he has
+determined the focus; whether by the sun, or candlelight,
+which will prevent any mistake arising from the
+disparity between the two plans pursued.</p>
+
+<p>Concave lenses are made upon the same principle, and
+pass through similar processes. They are designated
+by numbers, thus: a concave lens, worked in a tool of
+four-inch radius, is termed No. 12; five-inch, No. 10;
+ten-inch, No. 6. &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p>
+
+<p>To determine the radius or focus of a concave lens,
+apply to its surface a convex lens of the same focus,
+and holding the two together as one glass, between the
+thumb and finger, at some distance before the eye, give
+the hand a gentle motion to and fro, and if the objects
+looked at through the lenses now in contact appear
+fixed, equal, and of their natural size, then is the focus
+of the one correspondent to that of the other; but if
+the convex lens is not of the same focal length as the
+concave to which it is thus applied, then all objects
+looked upon will appear to shake and have a tremulous
+motion.</p>
+
+<p>Another method of ascertaining whether one concave
+lens is of the same number, and worked in tools of the
+same radius as another, is to hold one in each hand,
+placing their edges against each other, with their centres
+in a parallel line; now withdraw ten or twelve feet from
+the window, and observe the top and bottom bars of a
+square of glass: if they appear equal and uniform in all
+their parts, parallel to each other, and agreeing with the
+other squares in the window, then are they of the same
+radius; but if they do not match, the bars will appear
+disjointed, and higher or lower in one square than in the
+other. The trial box of sights will be found very useful
+in making these experiments.</p>
+
+<p>Brazil pebbles, or crystallized quartz, are imported to
+this country in rough blocks; these are cut or slit, by
+the aid of pulverized diamond, into slabs or pieces, of
+the diameter required. Those pieces in which bubbles,
+waves, or blemishes appear, are thrown aside by the
+optician who is tenacious of his fair fame, as their imperfections
+become more apparent in every after-stage of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>
+their progress; and when polished, centred, and shaped
+for the spectacle-frame, they are really improper to be used
+at all; nevertheless, the needy, or dishonest, rather than
+lose a fraction of their gains, often persist in working up
+such imperfect material, and harping upon their being
+pebble—real pebble—palm them off upon the uninitiated
+as genuine articles. Pebbles have the following important
+advantages: they are of equal density, and
+exceedingly hard, firm, and clear; their surfaces are not
+liable to become misty or scratched (which circumstance
+alone often compels a change of glasses): they are of a
+pure, cool nature, and shew this contrast to glass (which
+is, on the contrary, produced by the action of artificial
+heat) in the touch of the finger or tongue to their
+surfaces.<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> They are, in consequence of these properties,
+calculated to suit the sight for a longer period than
+glass; but they need not be thrown aside, when, from
+the indications already referred to, we find an increase of
+magnifying power is required, as they can be re-worked
+readily enough to meet the requirement of the eyes, and
+at an expense scarcely more than a new pair of glasses,
+or about one-third of their original cost. The directions
+for ascertaining the focus of concave or convex pebbles,
+are the same as described for concave or convex glasses.</p>
+
+<p>This consideration should weigh with those who are
+apt to be misled by the pretensions of the unprincipled;
+for pebbles have, in common with many other crystals,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>
+a double refracting property, which, if the pebble is cut
+carelessly, exhibits itself by painfully affecting the vision;
+two objects, instead of one, are seen, causing a confused
+and agitating sense of indistinctness, which, in proportion
+to the exertion of the eye to overcome it, is the more
+tiresome and distressing. Such faulty and blemished
+articles, technically called <em>wasters</em>, are refused by the
+optician of any real respectability and character, but are
+eagerly bought up by those venders, whose object is to
+purchase what costs them the least money, alike ignorant
+of, and indifferent to, any other consideration.</p>
+
+<p>Pebbles, therefore, like all the precious stones, which,
+in fact, are crystals, cannot be properly cut or sliced
+except in a parallel direction to their natural faces.</p>
+
+<p>Periscopic or meniscus lenses were introduced in the
+year 1770, and revived at a later period by Dr. Wollaston.
+Their properties were investigated by many scientific
+persons, and again candidly examined by Mr. W. Jones;
+yet, notwithstanding the oblivion to which they were
+consigned by the universal consent of practical opticians,
+they are still foisted on the public, under various disguises,
+and embellished with sundry new appellations.
+They are concave on one side, and convex on the other,
+the inner and outer curve differing, in order to produce a
+focus. When placed in the spectacle-frame, their convex
+surface is always from the eye; this necessarily exposes
+their centres to be rubbed and scratched. The
+halo, or aberration of light, is greater in lenses of this
+form than in any other. This can be easily proved by
+placing a double convex, and a periscopic lens, each of
+the same diameter and focus, say one-and-a-half inch diameter,
+and three or four inch focus, edgeways together.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>
+Let the image of a lighted candle be thrown against a
+white wall or paper, in a dark situation, through the
+two lenses, and it will be conspicuously seen that the
+periscopic lens exhibits this dazzling indistinctness,
+while in the double convex lens it is scarcely perceptible.</p>
+
+<p>Parallel or flat surface lenses are produced from tools
+perfectly level, and without any curvature. For spectacle
+purposes their only use is as shades or shields for the
+eye, to protect it from the effects of bright and dazzling
+objects, dust, and wind. They are, however, indispensable
+in the construction of sextants, artificial horizons,
+and other mathematical instruments.</p>
+
+<p>Spectacles for travelling by rail-road, on the old
+beaten path, or by vessels, are usually fitted with parallel
+glasses, unless the wearer requires focal power as well
+as a screen, in which case they are of the concave or
+convex figure, before explained. Almost every combination
+of light and shade has been used for this class
+of spectacles; violet, grey, blue, green, crape, wove
+wire, &amp;c.; but some sensitive and tender eyes failed to
+receive the relief expected from any of these, and
+opticians have been repeatedly baffled in their attempts
+to produce a shade of glass congenial to the requirements
+of the eye under such circumstances. I have
+made extensive use of the new neutral tint, or twilight
+tinge glass, and find it most agreeable to the eye while
+employing it, and when removed, it leaves the vision
+undisturbed by the flickering and confused halo so much
+complained of after wearing other coloured glasses.
+The cause of this superiority is clearly seen when we
+remember that, after taking off a pair of green glass<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>
+spectacles, every object appears of a red colour, while,
+upon the removal of blue colours, an orange or yellow
+mantle seems to rest on all which meets the view.</p>
+
+<p>It is of consequence that all such glasses should be
+really parallel, otherwise a broken and disjointed appearance
+will be given to objects, the rays of light being
+abruptly dispersed instead of being transmitted through
+the transparent medium to the eye, in their natural
+direction. I have always discountenanced the use of
+wire, gauze, crape, and muslin substitutes for glass,
+because, in my opinion, it is a fallacy to assert that they
+are cooler and more agreeable to the eye. There is abundant
+space for the circulation of air in the region of the
+eye if the spectacle-frame adapts itself pleasantly to the
+wearer’s face; while the eye and common sense may
+answer together, that to look on things around us, a
+transparent medium is preferable to a hazy and indistinct
+one. We do not choose bars and gratings, or coarse
+curtains, in preference to glass, for the windows of
+apartments; but if the light is sometimes too intense,
+we place a shade to soften its dazzling effects. Such
+precisely is the reason why tinted glass spectacles, for
+defending the eyes from rain, dust, and wind, are recommended.</p>
+
+<p>Lenses worked by machinery are produced in greater
+quantities, within a given time, than those worked by
+hand. They are passed through the different stages of
+grinding and polishing without having the keen eye of
+the workman carefully watching their progress, and
+adjusting the inequalities in their surfaces or edges,
+which will always appear more or less in the course of
+working.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p>
+
+<p>The price at which competition demands those lenses
+shall be rendered, operates against the wearer of spectacles;
+for the producer cannot afford to throw aside such
+as are faulty, and the wholesale agent and retail dispenser
+cannot expect to have, at the low price charged,
+lenses which will bear a critical examination; and thus
+all which can possibly be used are thrust into frames of
+one kind or other, from the common iron or horn sold
+by the poor hawkers at sixpence, eightpence, and
+one shilling per pair, to the more expensive frames;
+while many faulty glasses, after being dubbed with some
+ear-tickling appellation, and imbibing extraordinary
+“light-modifying and refractive virtues,” by passing
+into the hands of the hawker of a higher class, are
+palmed upon the unfortunate spectacle-purchasers who
+are simple enough to give credence to the wondrous
+tale.</p>
+
+<p>Women and children are chiefly employed to cut
+and edge those cheap glasses to the spectacle-frames;
+and who can expect they should do them better for the
+price? And if one glass should be unequally thick, like
+a wedge, while its companion in the same spectacles is
+miserably thin; or if the centres, instead of being equidistant
+from all parts of the rim are nipped into a
+corner; how <em>can</em> you feel surprised when you consider
+that for them to earn a living, it is necessary they should
+finish several dozen pairs per day, and therefore, expedition,
+rather than excellence, is the point at which they
+aim? In many departments, where machinery has
+supplanted manual labour, the work produced is of a
+superior character, and will bear more critical examination;
+but the contrary is the fact in the case of machine-worked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>
+optical glasses, and is more especially apparent
+in such as are intended for microscopic and achromatic
+purposes. It cannot be denied that, for all such uses,
+lenses worked by hand, with the ordinary care of a skilful
+workman, as much excel those produced by machinery,
+as the accurate and scientific touch of the artist
+eclipses the random splash of the plasterer.</p>
+
+<p>The trial box, or frame of sights, ranging from the
+slightest focal power down to the deepest, is a very
+useful apparatus, both for the optician and his patient.
+It consists of eight or nine spectacle-fronts, clamped
+together at one end by a rivet, on which they are yet
+free to move. The focus of each pair is stamped on the
+front. They are enclosed by a pair of lids, which forms
+a handle, to be held by the hand, while one front after
+another is placed before the eyes, to determine what
+focus yields the desired assistance. This being ascertained,
+and having noted down the power we find to
+suit most naturally, as explained when treating of convex
+lenses, page <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, we have only to determine what style
+of mounting we prefer, and whether we will have
+glasses or pebbles, for the optician to suit us at once
+with lenses adapted to the sight, and mountings fitting
+pleasantly to the head. If an interview with the optician
+is impracticable, it will be ensuring greater accuracy, to
+mention the exact distance, measured as a straight line
+from the centre of the pupil of one eye to that of the
+other; and if the nose, on the bridge between the eyes,
+is flat or prominent, broad or narrow, since spectacles,
+suiting the sight most accurately, are frequently an
+annoyance, rather than an assistance, to the wearer,
+from these particulars being unheeded.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p>
+
+<p>Two trial boxes comprise the range of convex sight,
+one for young persons, and those who require spectacles
+for the first, second, or third time; the other for those
+eyes which have been long accustomed to spectacles, or
+from some constitutional or sudden cause, need those of
+strong magnifying power. The third box contains concave
+lenses, ranging from No. 1 to 12, which are the
+sights chiefly wanted, although, in extraordinary cases,
+No. 13, 14, and even 20, have been required.</p>
+
+<p>Although, throughout this treatise, I have endeavoured
+to convince my readers that they may and ought
+mainly to determine for themselves, yet I would recommend
+a visit to the optician, where it is practicable, in
+preference to a description of the case; for the same
+reason that the best written statement of a patient’s
+malady, sent to a physician, does not afford him that
+familiar acquaintance with the case which an interview
+of a few minutes would supply.</p>
+<br>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> The manufacture of glass was known very early, but glass
+perfectly transparent and colourless was reckoned so valuable, that
+Nero is said to have given a sum equal to £25 for two moderate
+sized colourless drinking glasses.—<cite>Starke’s Oriental Letters.</cite></p>
+
+<p>Glass for optical uses is heavy, homogeneous, free from streaks
+and veins. More expensive chemical substances are employed in
+its manufacture than are used in making common glass.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> Pebbles, again, are proved by grinding the edges briskly on a
+moderately smooth file, or porous stone; they will resist the action
+of these, and emit sparkles of light as the velocity of the friction is
+increased, while glasses, on the contrary, yield, and are ground
+without difficulty.</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“Every day’s observation shews how far some men may be carried
+from the most evident and obvious truths, to support a new hypothesis,
+which has no foundation either in nature or reason; but truth
+will ever control and prevail over error, though supported with all
+the powers of rhetoric and novelty.”—<span class="smcap">B. Martin.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Where</span> distance, or any other cause, prevents our having
+access to persons who are competent to suit us properly
+with spectacles, great care should be exercised to choose
+those which cause the print of a newspaper, or the
+ordinary types of a book, to appear of their natural and
+proper size, while they are viewed at the distance most
+agreeable for reading, viz., twelve inches from the eye.
+It is evidently better to “try spectacles” on such
+ordinary printing as they will be generally exercised
+upon, than to test them by the very small print with
+which persons frequently provide themselves. To decipher
+this, a greater power is demanded than is requisite
+for usual reading, writing, and needlework, which are
+the purposes for which we require them, and not for
+microscopic observation, nor for distant views.</p>
+
+<p>The eyes in which no malformation or disease exists,
+but which simply partake of constitutional decay, or,
+from too continued application to sedentary and studious<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>
+pursuits, are beginning to feel a want of assistance, should
+have spectacles of sixty-inch focus, which is an exceedingly
+slight magnifying power; and if these are found
+to be insufficient to afford an agreeable and natural
+perception (not an enlarged or magnified image of the
+letters of a book, &amp;c., held in the hand at the distance
+of twelve or fourteen inches from the eye), then apply
+those of the next power, viz., forty-eight inches’ focus.
+If these again are unequal to supply the loss of power
+or incapacity of the eye to converge the light to a point
+at the instant it reaches the retina, then lenses of thirty-six
+inches focus are to be had recourse to; and when
+these fail to afford agreeable vision, thirty, twenty-eight,
+twenty-four, twenty, must be progressively adopted,
+thus gradually descending the scale until the eyes
+receive such compensation for their progressive decay
+and loss of power, as spectacles carefully suited to the
+sight are capable so effectually to supply.</p>
+
+<p>The period at which the sight begins to fail does not
+at all depend on age, but varies in different persons
+according to the formation of the eyes, the treatment
+they have received, and the constitutional capability;
+therefore, the age of the person requiring spectacles
+gives but a vague general idea to the optician as to what
+is required, unless other particulars are stated; such as
+whether glasses have been used before; the distance at
+which writing and printing is seen pleasantly without
+assistance, the focus of those last used, or sending even
+but a broken piece of the same.</p>
+
+<p>“The proper selection of spectacles for imperfect
+vision is a point of much deeper importance than is
+generally believed. An <em>oculist</em> who is only acquainted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>
+with the diseases of the human eye, without possessing
+any knowledge of it as an optical instrument, is often
+led professionally to recommend glasses when they
+ought not to be used, or to fix on focal lengths entirely
+unfit for the purpose to which they are applied, and the
+<em>mere vender</em> of spectacles and lenses is still more frequently
+in the habit of proffering such counsel.”—<span class="smcap">Brewster.</span></p>
+
+<p>The near-sighted, or those who require concave
+spectacles should use those of the slightest power;
+No. 0, or No. 1, will generally be sufficient at first,
+but this, by the aid of the trial box, can readily be
+determined by the wearer himself. There is such an
+immense benefit experienced by the short-sighted from
+spectacles which suit their sight, that to argue for their
+adoption of them would be quite superfluous. Without
+spectacles they are excluded from observing beautiful
+landscapes, recognizing individuals, or viewing to advantage
+any of the crowd of interesting objects around
+them; but by adopting them they are placed on a par
+with the long-sighted in such circumstances, while the
+sharp and microscopic character of their sight <em>without</em>
+spectacles, gives them many advantages over those possessing
+ordinary vision.</p>
+
+<p>The short, or near-sighted eyes, have the cornea, and
+often the crystalline lens, more convex or arched out
+than in long-sighted eyes. This formation causes the
+rays to converge to a focus before they reach the retina,
+but by the application of a concave lens the difficulty is
+corrected, and the rays are carried on to their proper
+point for giving a perfect representation on the retina.</p>
+
+<p>This character of sight is very frequent, and is more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>
+particularly remarkable among those whose mode of life
+restricts them to crowded cities, sedentary employments,
+and confined situations. Those whose infantine and
+youthful years have been passed in the country, or where
+the eyes have had a free range of view, not circumscribed
+by the walls of the nursery, or limited to the
+observation of objects near at hand, rarely require concave
+spectacles.<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p>
+
+<p>The spectacle-frames next demand our attention, as
+our utmost care in judiciously selecting lenses of the
+proper focus for our sight will be neutralized if the frame
+or mounting in which they are placed does not apply
+comfortably to the head, leaving the lenses they carry
+fair and parallel before the eyes. If the front of a pair of
+spectacles is too short for the wearer’s face, he will look
+upon the edge of the lens, and a portion of the exterior
+rim of the frame; if they are too long his eye will meet
+the opposite edge and inner curve of the rim.</p>
+
+<p>Spectacle-frames are fashioned to suit the variety of
+formation in different individuals, and therefore such
+should be applied as adapt themselves pleasantly to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>
+temples, across the forehead and before the eyes. The
+pupil of the eye should, when looking at an object
+directly before it, see through the centre of the spectacle-eye,
+so that if the whole of the glass, except the small
+centre, were painted black, the rays of light would pass
+through it without distortion of the pupil. The bridge
+or nose-part of the spectacle-frame should be arched
+out, made like the crank of a lathe, or perfectly parallel
+with the knuckles of the sides, according to the formation
+of the wearer’s nose, otherwise the spectacles sit
+awkwardly on the face too far from or too near to the
+eye-lashes, with their centres too high or too low for the
+natural exercise of sight. Trifling as these particulars
+may seem, they cannot be neglected with impunity.
+Where these defects are unattended to, the eye is tortured
+by straining to overcome the difficulty, and striving
+to accommodate itself to them, instead of their being
+shaped to meet its requirements. Some old-fashioned
+spectacles have short side-pieces, which press most unpleasantly
+on one point of the temples, and when closed
+scratch and rub the lenses. Others have very cumbrous
+and heavy sides, with double lift or common hinge-joints.
+These also scratch the lenses when folded up,
+and can only be worn with any degree of comfort when
+the head is uncovered. Decidedly the best constructed
+spectacle-frames are those which, without being clumsy,
+have enough strength to admit of the sides being extended
+the full width of the face without bending the
+front, with single sides rather longer than their front for
+ladies’ use, and with turnpin sides (an extending joint,
+turning on a pivot,) for gentlemen.</p>
+
+<p>The material of which they are composed should be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>
+either gold, silver, or enamelled blue steel. Tortoiseshell,
+also, when well made, is very light and pleasant to
+wear, particularly for ladies. There is no advantage in
+large size, or round-eye spectacles, to compensate for
+their clumsy appearance and great weight; we get a
+sufficient expanse of observation with the oval-shape
+glasses without harassing the eye with an excess of
+light, which the large glasses admit.</p>
+
+<p>Solid blue steel mountings are a decided improvement,
+and are invaluable for persons who constantly require
+spectacles. They are wrought from a plate of steel, and
+shaped as light and uniform as any other town-made
+elastic blue-steel spectacles, with the advantage of being
+more durable, and eventually less expensive; for as they
+have no soldering in their composition, it is scarcely
+possible to break them, and therefore they rarely want
+repairing. Blue steel spectacles, in consequence of their
+being so much in request, are coarsely imitated, and vast
+numbers are sold by the pretended cheap shops, at
+apparently low prices which the wearer will find to
+be immensely beyond their real value. There are
+thirteen different qualities of the spectacles termed blue
+steel. The chief part are country made, and roughly
+put together, some being all iron, others having iron
+fronts and steel sides; others again bear a tolerably
+close resemblance to the best town-made articles, and
+unless the two are compared together, are likely to
+deceive a casual observer.<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p>
+
+<p>The fine elastic blue steel, of the best quality, are
+exceedingly light, highly polished, and beautifully enamelled.
+They will retain their appearance for two or
+three years, when carefully used; and they can be
+restored to their original appearance at any time for a
+few shillings’ expense.</p>
+
+<p>The anti-pressure spectacles are made of gold, silver,
+or the elastic steel. They are not adapted for ladies’
+use, but for gentlemen have been much in demand, as
+they obviate the necessity of opening and closing a second
+joint or lengthening piece, and do not press or annoy
+the nose or temples, but by an equal tenacity preserve
+their proper position before the eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Single eye-glasses, though very convenient for occasional
+use, are not to be compared with spectacles for
+the agreeable and natural assistance they give to vision.
+The eye should not be dependent on them for continuous
+assistance. Those who persist in using them should do
+so as little as possible; but the wiser course is to discard
+them entirely, and adopt the double eye-glasses where it
+would be tedious to apply spectacles of the usual kind.</p>
+
+<p>That the vision is more natural and perfect when both
+eyes are employed than when one glass only is used,
+must be self-evident, as the axis of each glass, placed as
+they should be in the spectacles, coincides with the axis
+of each eye, and the rays of light are thus equally
+refracted to the eye. Again, the eyes have a most
+acute and sensitive sympathy with each other, and when
+a single eye-glass is constantly used they are unnaturally
+exercised, and prevented from acting in concert. One
+eye (generally the right eye) has the glass perpetually
+applied to it; and very frequently, in consequence of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span>
+this pernicious practice, becomes of a different focus to
+the other. Mr. George Adams informs us that he did
+not recollect an instance of a short-sighted person who
+had occasion to increase the focus of his concaves if he
+began by wearing spectacles, but that the cases were
+frequent, where a single eye-glass had been used, in
+which the persons had frequently required a change of
+glasses.</p>
+
+<p>The prices of spectacles are diversified and fluctuating,
+like all other manufactures, so that to publish a list of
+prices would only tend to mislead and deceive my
+readers. For instance, the price of a pair of pebbles,
+used formerly to be one guinea extra to the charge for
+glasses; they are now reduced to half that sum. A
+pair of pebbles, of the concave or of the periscopic
+figure, were at the same time charged twenty-five
+shillings. These have been reduced in the same proportion.
+And it cannot be too universally known, that a
+person can have a pair of good convex glasses fitted into
+his spectacles, and correctly suited to his sight, at from
+one shilling and sixpence to two shillings per pair, by
+any respectable optician. The poorest person may be
+defended against the tender mercies of the spectacle
+speculators; for he really can obtain a better article for
+his money, both in quality and suitableness to his sight,
+of the respectable optician, and, upon an average, at <em>a
+less cost</em> than the cheat contrives, by dint of manœuvring,
+to extract from him. Good lenses, in plain frames, or,
+in other words, a good pair of spectacles, may be had,
+correctly suited to the sight, for two shillings and sixpence.
+Who then, knowing this, would suffer his
+sight to be tampered with? Truly, those who would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>
+stickle for a shilling in the price of such valuable and
+essential instruments</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“Deserve not the comfort they shed o’er the soul.”</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent">Yet, at the same time, there is no reason why those
+exorbitant charges should be submitted to, which are
+often paid without hesitation by the delighted purchaser,
+when a pair of spectacles appears to suit his sight.</p>
+
+<p>The love of the marvellous, and the insane thirst for
+novelties, are strikingly displayed in many inquirers for
+spectacles. The honest, straight-forward, and disinterested
+counsel of the established tradesman, is looked
+upon with scowling suspicion; but the preposterous and
+shallow pretensions of the empiric, decked with all the
+paraphernalia of fudge and falsehood, are listened to
+with eager curiosity. If the writer looked to self-interest
+as his guiding star, his course would be to preserve
+silence on these subjects; since it needs not to be
+demonstrated, that the practice and the profit of the
+regular practitioner are increased by the patched-up and
+mangled cases, which are, as it were, provided for him,
+over and above the number who <em>legitimately require</em> the
+exercise of his skill. But he despises such mercenary
+calculations, and contends that “The happiness of mankind
+at large is a principle that ought to be followed out
+by all individuals at every personal cost, and against
+every kind of opposition.”—<cite>Medical Examiner.</cite></p>
+<br>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> In Russia the person having short sight is seated in a chair for
+several hours daily, with the head placed in a natural position for
+reading, but prevented from pressing forward. The page is at first
+placed at the short distance at which the eyes have been accustomed
+to observe; but this distance is gradually extended, until the
+humours of the eyes, constantly exercised in endeavouring to accommodate
+their powers to the gently increased demand upon them,
+at length acquire the capability of observing at the usual distance.</p>
+
+<p>It is undoubtedly the fact that this character of sight may be
+acquired; many instances could be adduced of watchmakers and
+others, whose employments are of a sedentary or studious character,
+becoming short-sighted.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> It will be perceived that it is the workmanship and nice finish
+of the best town-made spectacle-frames which necessarily increases
+the price. Thus, a single pound of pig iron, which costs one penny,
+can be manufactured into watch-springs of the value of £240.</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>“Allured by hope of plunder, and intent<br>
+By force to rob, by fraud to circumvent,”—<span class="smcap">Æneis.</span><br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">I shall</span> give a few instances of the manner in which
+advertising adventurers rack their ingenuity to dress up
+their announcements in the most catching and attractive
+style; and, failing to find language sufficiently striking
+and pointed to arrest attention, scruple not to manufacture
+terms and apply similies, which, however preposterous
+and absurd they are seen to be when examined,
+yet answer their purpose of mystifying the public, and
+inducing a purchase of the vaunted articles.</p>
+
+<p>We have only to glance at the columns of our newspapers,
+and the covers of periodical publications, for
+illustrations of the extent to which the system of
+scheming, falsehood, and trickery, termed puffing, is carried.
+In one specious and lofty-toned announcement we
+are told that the most splendid discovery of the present
+age is now admitted, by the most unquestionable (?) testimonials,
+to be “Grindstone Snuff,” which is warranted
+to cure gutta serena, cataract, and all other diseases of
+the eyes, while a single pinch scares away headache and
+nervousness! Another startles the weatherwise by his
+impudent pretension to be the <em>only</em> maker of barometers
+and thermometers in London; whereas, if the real truth<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>
+were disclosed, it would be found that his connexion with
+the trade consisted in some such occupation as engraving
+the index plates of the instrument for his employers,
+who surely have the greater right to be considered real
+makers. Balsams, cough drops, rheumatism and gout
+dispersers, pills, cerates, syrups, shaving soaps, cornplasters,
+and heal-alls—all boast of the wondrous cures
+effected, and testimonials received. The long list of
+essences and decoctions, from vinegar to honey, also
+have the names of distinguished gentlemen of the
+faculty, the royal family, nobility, clergy, and gentry,
+appended as bearing testimony to their surprising virtues.
+“Highgate’s universal irresistible Ointment” we
+are informed, is an invaluable specific for all disorders.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“But who shall decide when doctors disagree?”</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent">A counter address denounces the same individual as an
+<em>uncertificated impostor</em>, who has no testimonials of his
+own, but has filched extracts from the only real original
+certificates and testimonials of “Monsieur Holabolo’s
+genuine Panacea,” which alone is a radical cure for all
+internal and external complaints. Another ointment
+puffer, whose nostrum is warranted to cure the plague
+and cholera, among other evils, occupies two columns of
+a newspaper with cures said to be effected by it; and
+these are flanked with no less than seventy-six names
+of surgeons and oculists, who, among others, testify to
+its monstrous virtues!!<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p>
+
+<p>Now in all these quack advertisements, we find the
+names, titles, and residences of the professional gentlemen
+correctly given, which, possibly may be of some
+consideration. Indeed, I know it is to some few an
+advantage not to be overlooked, as their names are thus
+kept before the public eye free of expense to them, and
+they are, although indirectly, as effectually puffed into
+notice as the quack himself. Without charging the
+respectable and high-minded members of the profession
+with entering into a compact, and designedly lending
+the sanction of their name and office to these abominable
+schemes of imposition, and granting full force to the
+apologies they offer as to its “being customary;” “that
+the profession generally do it;” “that to interfere would
+be expensive and troublesome;” and that “it is the
+fault of the public, who suffer themselves to be deluded
+by such shallow artifices,” I conceive it to be the bounden
+duty of every man of honour, when those tricksters
+employ his name without his sanction or authority, to
+adopt measures to disabuse that very large section of
+society, who attach full credit to statements appearing
+under such auspices.</p>
+
+<p>But it is with spectacle advertisers that we are more
+immediately concerned, and it is therefore essential to
+convince every individual of ordinary capacity, that he
+can, by the exercise of common sense, and the moderate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span>
+use of his reasoning faculties, safely and judiciously
+determine for himself, when spectacles are required, and
+what powers and qualities they should possess; either
+when the eyes first require restorative aid, or at any
+subsequent period of life.</p>
+
+<p>Amber spectacles have been bepraised and forced into
+notice as much as any of these quack specifics. I
+consider that the apathy and indifference manifested
+by those who know the statements put forth to be a
+tissue of falsehoods, are extremely reprehensible. No
+wonder that thousands have been tricked and trifled with
+when such novel and plausible pretensions have remained
+unchallenged, and those who know them to be hollow
+and deceitful artifices have suffered them to remain
+unexposed. Amber is so soft that a proper degree of
+polish cannot be given to it to make it suitable for spectacles.
+The streaks, specks, veins, and irregularities in
+it may be detected by the most casual observer. Glass
+and pebbles assimilate closely to the composition of the
+eye itself, but amber only imitates its diseased and
+decayed appearance. When the powers of the eye
+begin to decline, the crystalline humour becomes somewhat
+yellow, and as the decay proceeds this tinge
+increases.<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> Amber is strongly charged with electricity;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span>
+it has an affinity for oil, grease, and human perspiration;
+“and it was from amber that the electrical fluid was first
+obtained.”<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p>
+
+<p>Since writing the above, I have received, by the
+medium of the twopenny post, a printed circular, headed,
+“<em>Amber Spectacles.</em>—M——having experienced from
+the use of amber spectacles that which is expressed by
+the following eminent gentlemen, considers it to be his
+duty to caution the public against the use of them:—
+“Amber is a soft substance, and it is impossible to
+form it into a perfect lens, and a lens improperly constructed
+would prove most injurious to vision. Amber,
+in a moderate heat, becomes sticky; and by cleaning it
+in a short time, the polish wears off. It is also easily
+scratched, and soon loses the little transparency it possesses.
+Glue, as to substance and colour, is quite equal
+to it; and although purchasers pay an enormous price
+for amber spectacles, yet they incur a great risk of
+materially injuring their vision.”<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>
+
+<p>If there even were any merit or superiority in amber
+spectacles, be it observed, that the persons who prate
+about <em>their</em> discovery, are not the parties who originated
+or introduced the article. I have in my possession
+several which were first brought to this country, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>
+sold by a Prussian mechanic, long before he came in
+contact with individuals, who took a shameful advantage
+of his forlorn situation, and, after deluding him with
+specious promises, reduced him to their own terms.
+The poor man found remonstrances to be unavailing;
+and as he knew that redress was both uncertain and
+expensive, he refrained from farther interference, sighing
+as he said,—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“My poverty and not my will consents.”</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>Cautions respecting amber spectacles have frequently
+appeared in the daily newspapers. On the 17th of
+<span class="smcap">April</span>, 1838, the “<cite>Sun</cite>” contained a long advertisement,
+lauding their extraordinary virtues. In the same page,
+followed an exposé of the puff; and in another part of
+the paper was the following paragraph, made to appear
+as the editor’s remarks:—</p>
+
+<p>“An advertisement appeared in our paper of the 9th
+instant, calling into question the merits of patent amber
+spectacles, which have been so highly recommended for
+the preservative and assisting qualities for defective
+vision, by men of high character and professional reputation.
+The names of Messrs. Dollond and Curtis
+being used, it is right that the public should be apprised
+of the ascertained fact, that it owes its insertion, not to
+the knowledge of those gentlemen, but to the personal
+pique of interested individuals.”</p>
+
+<p>Persons who are somewhat acquainted with the manner
+in which such paragraphs are got up, well know what
+importance is to be attached to them; the uninitiated,
+however, are led to suppose that Messrs. Dollond and
+Curtis were not of the opinions expressed, but that some
+of the trade, jealous of the advertisers’ “high character,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>
+had maliciously questioned the “superior refractive property,”
+“light modifying,” “cool,” and “soothing”
+attributes of the admirable amber. But what ought we
+to think of the professional and literary characters who
+countenance the system of fraud and delusion practised
+by puffing advertisers. We might in charity suppose
+that the signatures of those eminent persons were surreptitiously
+obtained; and in that case, the straight-forward
+course they ought to adopt, should be publicly to
+disavow all connection with the cheats. But if they
+really hold the opinions attributed to them, we are bound
+to declare that, opposed as such idle notions are to truth
+and common sense, their presumption is ridiculous in
+publishing opinions on a subject of which they are grossly
+ignorant—ay, grossly ignorant! however capable and
+popular they may be in their own professions. Indeed
+many names of able and skilful surgeons are enumerated
+in the list of patrons and testimonial writers, who
+would smile at the effrontery of self-dubbed opticians,
+and the credulity of the public, conscious that they had
+no pretensions to any superior acquaintance with the
+subject. The ingenious and talented Dr. Neill Arnott
+remarks, in his “Elements of Physics,”—“Will it be
+believed that <em>there are medical men</em> who neither understand
+mechanics nor hydraulics, nor pneumatics, nor
+optics, nor acoustics, beyond the merest routine; and
+that systems of medical education are put forth at this
+day, which do not even mention the department of
+physics or natural philosophy;”</p>
+
+<p>But a general diffusion of knowledge is changing the
+condition of society, and elevating the human character.
+At first we almost tremble at our own boldness, in
+demanding proofs of the capability of our teachers; but
+the mind, gathering power, and unfolding its strength,
+with every opportunity for its manifestation, insists on
+having positive proofs, rather than vague pretensions, and
+demands solid information, instead of empty nothingness,
+however gorgeously arrayed, or pompously introduced.</p>
+<br>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> As for operators on the teeth, they have multiplied exceedingly
+in the land. Their successful career is a <em>biting</em> satire on the
+credulity of their supporters.</p>
+
+<p><em>American Quackery.</em>—The cost for advertising quack medicines
+in the United States, annually, is estimated at 200,000 dollars. A
+peck of pills per day is considered necessary for Boston, and half a
+bushel for New York. On an average, only one in twenty-five who
+take them is actually sick; and the proportion of those dispensing
+with some necessary of life to purchase nostrums, which do them a
+positive injury, is in the ratio of eighty-seven to every one hundred
+throughout the country.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> Dr. Petit found the crystalline in the eye of a man eighty years
+of age so yellow as to resemble amber.</p>
+
+<p>“When exposed to heat it becomes soft, swells, bubbles up, is
+apt to take fire, and burns with a yellowish flame.”—<cite>Heron’s
+Chemistry.</cite></p>
+
+<p>“It gives out electricity by friction. It is an indurated vegetable
+juice, and not produced by the laws of crystallization, but by the
+same causes which influence the mechanical condition of gum
+arabic, and other resinous substances. Insects are often found
+embedded in it.”—<cite>Parkes’s Chemistry.</cite></p>
+
+<p>It is a fact, that to silence such objections, a great improvement
+in amber, very pure and costly, was announced; this was nothing
+more nor less than yellow plate-glass, the same as is used in
+stained-glass windows. I have several specimens of these “superlative
+patent amber” in my possession.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> Dr. Neill Arnott.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> Dollond—Curtis.</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p>
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“Nothing extenuate or set down aught in malice.”—<span class="smcap">Shakspeare.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">Some</span> instances which have come under my own cognizance
+will illustrate the way in which gross imposition
+is practised, and the public morals materially injured,
+by weakening confidence in those who are, from their
+education and rank, looked to as guides and preceptors,
+and causing the mind to turn with indignation from the
+needy, but debased and grovelling creatures, who resort
+to any means, however infamous, to effect their selfish
+purposes.</p>
+
+<p>A military gentleman, of Stonehouse, was waited upon
+by a renowned optical quack, who, the moment he
+entered the parlour, exclaimed, “Goot Got, Sar! vy,
+you are a’goin plind; the sight is leaving your left
+eye! If you don’t immejartly take to my improved
+classes I vill not answer for the konserkences; kataract
+will grow on it in a month!” The gentleman, taken by
+surprise, tried on some of the <em>preservers</em>, and finally
+purchased two pairs of hand-folding spectacles, for which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>
+he paid four pounds. Some time after, they were more
+particularly inspected, and proved to be common glass,
+instead of pebbles, as was represented, and of much
+stronger focus than the eyes required. The full London
+retail charge for <em>such</em> articles is 10<em>s.</em> per pair.</p>
+
+<p>In the same town the same <em>distinguished</em> individual
+forced his way into the study of a reverend gentleman,
+and alarmed him by a similar prognostication. A pair
+of the “clarified crystals, ground by a peculiar process,”
+were purchased, price fifteen shillings. Afterwards,
+upon finding that one eye was irritated, and derived no
+assistance from the spectacles, the gentleman called upon
+the optician who had always previously supplied him,
+and was convinced of the trick which had been put upon
+him. They were common machine-worked glasses, each
+of a different focus, and neither of them suitable to his
+sight. Their proper price, sold in their proper place
+(viz., by hawkers, in the streets,) is one shilling per
+pair!</p>
+
+<p>A gentleman of Norwich, struck with the advantages
+promised by some extraordinary spectacles, paid two
+guineas for a pair of blue steel, with blue glasses, which
+were warranted pebbles,<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> and had the additional vexation
+to be severely censured by several friends, who
+complained that the fellow had fixed them with similar
+trash by representing that he (the gentleman) had said,
+“After you leave mine, do you go down past the
+Norfolk Hotel, and say I bid you to call on Mr. and
+Mrs. ——, to sell them spectacles such as I have
+bought.” This, of course, was a manœuvre of the cheat
+himself.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p>
+
+<p>A gentleman, of Tavistock, purchased a pair of silver
+spectacles, declared to be very fine pebbles, price thirty-five
+shillings; they were merely glass; and as he
+required a glass in an old pair of spectacles, the pompous
+hawker offered to <em>oblige</em> him by putting one of his
+“clarified lenses” to match the focus: for this he
+charged five shillings and sixpence. It was two inches
+different in focal length to the original glass! which
+would have been properly matched, by any resident
+optician, for one shilling!</p>
+
+<p>One of the hawking tribe called at the residence of
+Major C——, near Hereford, and represented that
+M——, Esq., had ordered, on the previous day, two
+pairs of spectacles, and desired him to call upon his
+friend, the major, to suit him also. In this case the
+attack was parried; and, spite of the hawker’s vehement
+declaration, that the eyes were in a terrible state, he was
+dismissed, “to call again to-morrow.” Thus the major
+preserved his eyes, and saved his money. In the evening
+he saw his friend, and inquired if he had sent a fellow
+to his house with spectacles? “No,” was the reply,
+“but you sent him to <em>me</em>; for he came this afternoon,
+saying you had bought two pairs, and wished me to
+have some of the same kind; therefore, I bought two
+pairs, and paid him the price he said <em>you</em> gave, viz., three
+pounds, ten shillings, though at first he wanted four
+guineas!”</p>
+
+<p>A naval captain, residing at Monmouth, showed me a
+pair of silver spectacles with six-inch focus glasses, very
+jagged and splintered at the edges, worth at most twelve
+shillings, for which he had given one of the tribe of impostors<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>
+two guineas, and a pair of tortoiseshell (which
+<em>did</em> suit his sight) into the bargain.<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p>
+
+<p>A lady at Belfast was attracted by the showy advertisement
+of an itinerant optician, and called upon him,
+“between the hours of ten and six,” for the purpose of
+purchasing a pair of spectacles. The first thing he did,
+after staring at her, and impudently declaring that her
+eyes were being ruined, was to snatch her spectacles
+from her face, and put a pair of his own in their place.
+“There, Matam! they are the spattacles for your
+eyes, those you have peen vearing vill pring on kataract.”
+“I see pretty well in these,” said the lady, “but my own
+suit about as well, I think.” “Oh dear no, it’s quite a
+mistake, your own are retched; put them on—isn’t
+there a differench now, Matam?” “Yes, there is,” said
+the lady, (who had too much penetration for the pedlar)
+“they require cleaning after having been held in
+your hot hand all this time;” and taking up a washleather<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>
+she wiped the glasses, and, replacing them, bade
+adieu to the <em>testimonialed</em> optician.</p>
+
+<p>A lady, who was visiting for a few weeks at Margate,
+was startled one morning, by a big, blustering, shewily-dressed
+man, who, after knocking at the street door,
+pushed past the servant, and rapping loudly at the parlour
+door opened it without waiting for any reply.
+“Goot morning, Matam, I am the optician to the royal
+family; your friend, Lady W——, terives so much goot
+from my pellucit lenses, she peggd me to call and suit
+you.” Before all this had been uttered he had taken a
+package from a confederate, dressed as a livery servant,
+who accompanied him, and covered the table with his
+stock. “Your eyes are in a most alarming state Matam,
+this pair of cold spattacles will suit you.”
+“Really,” said the lady; “how came Lady W—— to
+suppose I wanted spectacles? I have never worn any at
+any time in my life.” “No, that’s the vary reason your
+sight is leaving you; your eyes are vary pad.” “What
+is the price of this pair?” inquired the lady. “Three
+guineas” was the answer. The price was paid; and
+after punishing her eyes for a few days, the lady met
+with a scientific friend who convinced her that they were
+totally unfit and improper for her, her eyes being in excellent
+order, and not requiring spectacles at all!</p>
+
+<p>A gentleman, visiting at Canterbury, in 1834, was induced
+through the representations of the same notorious
+cheat to purchase a pair of spectacles, which were warranted
+to dissipate the cataract forming in his eye; the
+price paid was five pounds. As he was lamenting the
+terrible state in which he was informed his eyes certainly
+were (although, strange to say, he was quite unconscious<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>
+of it) another pair was placed upon his nose, which, he
+was told he ought to wear as a change, in case the eyes
+were pained by the efforts of the first pair to dissipate
+the cataract. Another five pound note was handed over
+to the hawker, who began to grow quite pathetic; and
+artfully alluding to the services of the gentleman during
+the war, and expatiating upon a few circumstances with
+which he had made himself acquainted in a chat with one
+of the gossips at the public house where he lodged, he
+pretended to lament the necessity for the gentleman
+staying within doors. “What, may I not take a walk
+or ride as usual? I can’t endure being cooped up within
+doors.” “There’s danger in your going out,” said the
+pedlar, “except your eyes are guarded with green Refractive
+Preservers.” “Oh, bless me,” said the gentleman,
+“that’s very serious; then you really think I
+ought to have another pair for walking and riding, eh?”
+“Oh certainly, by all means; nothing else can save
+your eyes, unless you confine yourself within doors.”
+“What’s the price of such a pair of preservers?” “Six
+guineas, Sir; but as you have bought the others you shall
+have them for five pounds.” “Why, dear me, I shall
+be ruined in buying spectacles, and yet I never felt that I
+wanted them before.” “That’s just the vay, ven the eyes
+are a’going blind it comes on all at once, my tear Sir.”</p>
+
+<p>By this transaction the pedlar actually pocketed three
+five pound notes. In less than a week afterwards the
+first two pair were sent to me to have the yellow coloured
+glasses exchanged for white lenses of four degrees less
+magnifying power; the price at which the whole three
+pairs could have been purchased elsewhere would be
+forty-five shillings.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p>
+
+<p>It will scarcely be credited that the individuals who
+thus practise on the public are grossly ignorant; and
+were it not that the anxiety of the purchasers to possess
+something extraordinary renders them liable to imposition
+and allays suspicion, such shallow pretensions never
+would pass undetected.</p>
+
+<p>One of the tribe, who, until lately, practised the art
+and mystery of his forefathers as a dealer in old clothes,
+suddenly changed his <em>profession</em>, and, calculating the
+chances to be two to one in his favour, ventured, neck
+or nothing, to blazon himself forth as an experienced,
+scientific, and practical optician. A book, bearing his
+name as its author, and sundry special appointments,
+obtained by dint of the most brazen assurance and persevering
+importunity, were ostentatiously paraded before
+the wondering eyes of her majesty’s liege subjects. The
+public are stultified, and the eminent individual himself,
+is almost astonished that the scheme should take, and
+like the “Fly preserved in amber, wonders how the
+d—— he came there.”</p>
+
+<p>There are artists in his locality who can give many
+<em>graphic</em> illustrations of the disregard to truth, violation of
+friendship, and cunning perversion of facts, of which this
+individual has been guilty, and yet no one has a greater
+array of eminent names and testimonials to show—many
+signatures of really clever men having been obtained by
+some means or other. Surely there is much piquancy
+and truth in the Spanish proverb: “those who know
+most are oftenest cheated.”</p>
+<br>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> Pebbles, it is scarcely necessary to say, are colourless.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> This gentleman stormed most lustily when made aware of the
+trick which had been practised upon him, and threatened legal exposure
+to the “professional optician.” But this course is seldom
+resorted to, the dupes recollecting that, while they publish the
+swindler’s villainy, they give us but an indifferent idea of their own
+discernment, beside the uncertainty and incongruity ever attendant
+upon Law, thus quaintly sketched by Bentham;—“If a man give
+you a black eye, you make him pay for it, but if he put your eye out,
+you get nothing; and whatever is taken from him goes nominally
+to the queen—really to John Stokes or Jack Nokes who have no
+concern at all in the matter. If a man kill your pig, you get the
+value of it, but if he kill your wife or your child, you get nothing—if
+any thing is got out of him it goes to a stranger, as before. A
+man sets your house on fire, if by misfortune, you receive amends,
+if through malice, you receive nothing.”</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>“See, arm’d with great authority, they come,<br>
+And with great names and numbers strike us dumb;<br>
+Reason and common sense to names must fall,<br>
+And strength of argument’s no strength at all.”—<span class="smcap">Dodsley.</span><br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">I will</span> now produce a few specimens of Puffing Advertisements,
+which will show how sounding words are
+senselessly strung together to give an air of importance
+to their originators, and leave my readers to judge for
+themselves how far the public ought to be influenced by
+them. The orthography (?) of these puffs is, in every way
+worthy of the authors of them. They are given <em>pure</em>.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 1.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">Improved Eye Preservers, patronized by the Faculty of the Eye
+Infirmaries for Cataract, and other improved glasses.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. —— optician to the Queen,<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Her Royal Highness the
+Duchess of Kent, &amp;c. sole Inventor of Optical Glasses, ground
+and shaded on the Exact<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> Principle. Mr. —— has been for
+twenty-five years a manufacturer, who has devoted his study with
+time to bring this branch to perfection. Mr. —— has been earnestly
+solicited to pay a short visit for a limited period. He has
+the honour to announce his arrival from the London, Bristol, and
+Edinburgh Optical Establishments.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p>
+
+<p>Spectacles for far and near distances, for those who have a full
+eye, ground in a peculiar manner.</p>
+
+<p>Sight is often abused by inexperienced persons taking upon themselves
+the impracticable task of assisting it.</p>
+
+<p>The Improved Spectacles, and other glasses, made by Mr. ——
+on the authority of professional gentlemen, are the very best ever
+invented; they have gone through a different process, which clarifies
+and makes them the greatest improvement ever heard of by
+candle light or dull day.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. —— can tell by the physiology and figure of the eye when
+to give the greatest assistance. His glasses are of a refractive
+quality; so constructed as to effect the greatest relief; manufactured
+by machinery of a new construction, and by a peculiar way.
+Turbid glasses destroy the cornea and iris of the eye, and harbingers
+all ocular diseases.</p>
+
+<p>*** A book will be given for the use of the Improved Spectacles
+and advice for all diseases.</p>
+
+<p>Sight is injured by buying Spectacles of Shops, or other <em>chance</em>
+places of sale, totally unacquainted with vision.</p>
+
+<p>Ladies and Gentlemen whose eyes are weak will, by using these
+extraordinary Spectacles for two or three hours a week, find their
+matchless qualities, as they are ground in a peculiar way.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">
+Mr. —— will call with a large Assortment.<br>
+
+<span class="smcap">LICENSED HAWKER, NO. ——</span><br>
+
+⁂ This Circular will be called for.<br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 2.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">The sight of the aged assisted by the Improved Spectacles, upon
+unerring principles.</p>
+
+<p>Persons have been going round copying Mr. ——’s Bill, who is
+the only real original manufacturer of them?<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> it has been the cause
+of many persons nearly losing their sight, Mr. —— has had fifteen
+years practice on the eye: there is such a monstrous difference in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span>
+these improved glasses, that one pair will serve a person his whole
+life. The sight of the aged assisted, the weak strengthened, and
+the perfect improved, by Mr. ——’s improved spectacles.</p>
+
+<p>Spectacles for those who have a full eye; the glasses are ground
+in a peculiar manner. Blindness has took place from the ignorance
+of persons wearing the glasses in common use, owing to the glasses
+<em>drawing</em> the eyes. These glasses are highly recommended by professional
+gentlemen, who view them to be the greatest improvement
+ever known; they have gone through a different process, which
+clarifies them, and makes them the greatest improvement by
+candle light or dull day, qualifying you to see the greatest length
+of time at one sitting; those persons whose eyes are weak, by using
+a pair of those extraordinary preservers for two or three hours will
+find they are ground in a peculiar manner.</p>
+
+<p>A treatise will be given for the use of the Improved glasses, with
+advice gratis for all diseases of the eye. Mr. —— flatters himself
+he can perform the most difficult cures in the sight with the greatest
+ease; there is no complaint of the eye but he is acquainted with.
+Mr. —— cautions the public against a person who is selling Spectacles
+which pretend to be his.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. —— will call with a large Assortment of Improved glasses,
+which will give satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em">LICENSED HAWKER.</span><br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 3.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>Caution against a person taking the name of Messrs. ——, the
+professional opticians: and imposing upon ladies and gentlemen in
+selling shameful spectacles, as Messrs. —— improved, and charging
+forty shillings, while Messrs. —— only charges for the same twenty
+shillings, or, with pebbles, only fifteen shillings.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PERMANENT RELIEF</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">for all disorders effecting the eyes, and cases of dimness. Were
+it necessary,</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">A HOST OF CASES</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">might be named by which persons, distinguished, have, by their
+improved scientific and successful using of their</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">IMPROVED GLASSES</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">been much benefitted. The honourable patronage noticed at the
+head of this article, and their hourly increasing patronage, are proofs
+of their great skill and talent for</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">ALL DISORDERS OF THE SIGHT.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">They have the honour to be professionally consulted by the chief
+families in the empire. Imperfect sight can only be handled properly
+by those who by deep study have a talent for</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">THE ORGANS OF SIGHT.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">Many people injure their sight by buying improper spectacles,
+whereas it is</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">THE ESPECIAL OBJECT</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">of Messrs. —— to rest the claim of patronage on those numerous
+persons of the first quality.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">May be suited with Spherical Pellucid Glasses, of every class,
+according to their exalted rank.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">THE MERCANTILE AND LABOURING CLASSES</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">may have their daily toil sweetened by these improved glasses;
+administered, in cases of distress, on terms accommodating to their
+situations in society.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em">Licensed Hawker, No. ——, A.</span><br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 4.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">For a short time only.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>Mr. ——, Optician to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and
+Princess of ——, King and Queen of ——, has the honour to
+inform the nobility and visitors of ——, he has arrived from the
+London Royal Eye Infirmary, for a short time only. A reference
+to the distinguished patronage he boasts, will convince the public
+he possesses great skill in the Optic Line, and is without a parallel
+when such organs as the eyes is liable to evils from common glass
+and pebbles, one being no better than the other! It is his imperative
+wish to guard the public against them; therefore, he announces
+his stay will be for a short period.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em">Licensed Hawker, No. ——, B.</span><br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 5.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">MAY BE CONSULTED,</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p class="no-indent">Mynheer ——, Practical and Professional Optician, Surgeon-Oculist
+and Surgeon-Dentist, announces his arrival. In all recent
+or chronic weakness, a perfect cure is his far-famed Keysell Spectacles,
+which have the density and translucency of a diamond, and
+refractive preserving powers, being composed from rare crystals,
+produced from the Carpathian Rocks, so highly recommended by
+the faculty. Mynheer M —— being based upon the greatest perfection
+which the dento-chirurgical art can be carried, can renovate
+all decay by his succedaneum, which all the faculty of the continental
+cities recommend. In two seconds it removes pain, and lasts
+many years.</p>
+
+<p>But it is to the Keysell Spectacles and Terrence Teeth that he
+would <em>draw the eyes</em> of his friends to: they are fixed in the mouth
+so that it is impossible to remove them without wires. They increase
+the beauty by their elegant matchlessness.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em">Licensed Hawker, No. ——</span><br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 6.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent"><span class="smcap">POSITIVELY FOR THIS WEEK ONLY.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>Messrs. —— have succeeded, after fifteen years’ professional
+practice, and devoting their whole lives to the optic line, in bringing
+out a wonderful translucency for the organs of sight, coupled
+with a conductor for deafness. This wonderful discovery brings
+faulty hearing to perfection. They are so arranged and combined
+with scientific principles, with the long practice of the inventors,
+that they will allow such an extent of relief that will quite astonish
+every beholder.</p>
+
+<p>They are anxious not to be confounded. There are other people
+who pretend to the skill of Messrs. ——, therefore the public are
+liable to be imposed upon. Inferior spectacles can be had of persons
+calling themselves opticians, but Messrs. —— think it is
+scarcely necessary to state, that their improved Translucency for
+Spectacles, and Conductors for Deafness, are manufactured under
+their own eyes, upon spherical principles.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em">Licensed Hawkers, No. ——</span><br>
+</p>
+
+<p>One of the Firm may be professionally consulted from 10 to 6.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">PUFF, No. 7.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>Mr. ——, Professional Optician, patronized by the faculty of
+London, Brighton, Bath, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Spectacles ground and shaded on the exact principle of truth, by
+Mr. ——, the celebrated Optician from the London Optical Establishment,
+established for a number of years.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. ——, in consequence of the flattering encouragement he
+received from the first families, he has established himself here for a
+short time. He has made the study of vision his own, and can
+remedy any organic defect, neglect, disease, or imperfection. Many
+individuals of rank and royalty acknowledge the immense improvement.
+Mr. —— will send a treatise, explaining every thing in the
+line, to every house, and will attend himself with a splendid quantity
+of improved glasses.</p>
+
+<p>As several persons travel through the country in his name, he
+begs the public to look at his patronage at the top of his circular.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>
+He is the sole Inventor of the Improved glasses. They have gone
+through an elaborate process, they are therefore clarified and pellucid.
+They throw a clearer light, and more brilliant than any
+others.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">
+⁂ At home from 2 till 6.</p>
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em">Licensed Hawker, No. ——</span><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent"><em>Please to observe the brass plate in the window.</em></p>
+</div>
+<br>
+
+<p>How often, too, accompanying such advertisements
+as the preceding, do we find paragraphs, in the laudatory
+style, to some such effect as the following (see also
+page <a href="#Page_44">44</a>). It requires but little penetration to arrive at
+a conclusion as to who are the authors of them.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Puff Paragraph</span>, No. 1.—We again call the attention of our
+readers to Mr. —— and his valuable assortment of Spectacles.
+They are manufactured with extraordinary care, and constructed
+upon the strictest scientific principles. M. —— has for a long
+period past devoted his attention exclusively to that important branch
+of optics—the human eye;—and the proficiency he has attained of
+the complicated structure of that noble organ has enabled him to
+adapt glasses to every degree of defective vision. But the highest
+panegyric which can be pronounced upon the skill of this artist, is
+the unprecedented number of applications which have been made
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>Our readers will observe, that his stay is restricted to a few days.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Puff Paragraph</span>, No. 2.—We have more than once had occasion
+to allude to the surreptitious conduct of individuals, who are
+eager to profit by the established reputation of our resident opticians,
+Messrs. ——, who are about making arrangements for
+visiting all the neighbouring towns, making this place their permanent
+residence.<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p>
+
+<p>The “Messrs. ——,” the “resident,” the “distinguished,”
+decamped at the expiration of three weeks.</p>
+<br>
+
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> The royal arms appear at the head of this elegant announcement.
+(Query) Ought not the proper authorities to prohibit such
+vile use being made of the name of royalty.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> Query—<em>Exaction</em> principle.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> Were those individuals really <em>manufacturers</em>, they would not
+require a Licence to vend their articles. See Act of Parliament,
+50 Geo. III. cap. 41, sec. 23. enacts: “Provided always, and it
+is hereby enacted, that nothing in this Act shall extend to prohibit
+any person or persons from selling any printed papers, licensed by
+authority, or any fish, fruit, or victuals; nor to hinder the <em>real
+worker or workers, or maker or makers</em> of any goods, wares, or
+manufactures of Great Britain, or his, her, or their children, apprentices,
+or known agents or servants usually residing with such real
+workers or makers only, from carrying abroad or exposing to sale,
+and selling by retail or otherwise, any of the said goods, wares, or
+manufactures of his, her, or their own making in any mart, market,
+or fair, and in every city, borough, town corporate, and market
+town. Nor any tinkers, coopers, glaziers, plumbers, harness makers,
+or other persons usually trading in mending kettles, tubs,
+household goods, or harness whatsoever, from going about and carrying
+with him, or them, proper materials for mending the same.”</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[15]</a> It is gratifying, however, to find that many editors of
+newspapers repudiate the iniquitous system, perceiving that
+their readers might justly look upon them as participators in the
+fraud.</p>
+
+<p>One of the puffing, <em>professional</em> licensed hawkers entered the
+office of the Reading newspaper, and with the authoritative air of
+an Alexander, desired that his announcement should appear in the
+front column, and the <em>usual</em> laudatory paragraph in another part of
+the paper. He was informed that his advertisement could be inserted,
+but that the proprietors had determined never to admit such
+insidious clap-trap notices, which, while they injured the resident
+tradesman, and were looked upon as the <em>bona fide</em> opinions of the
+editor, generally referred to matters of which he could not honestly
+express a favourable opinion. The pedlar stood aghast! “What,”
+said he, “not put in a paragraph? Why, I’d sooner pay for a
+good paragraph than care about the advertisement at all.”</p>
+
+<p>His <em>professional</em> visit was of unusually short duration, finding it
+impossible to bribe the press to trumpet forth his praise.</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“It is a strange thing to behold what gross errors and extreme
+absurdities men do commit for want of a friend to tell them of the
+same! The help of good counsel is that which setteth business
+straight.”—<span class="smcap">Bacon.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">I have</span>, for many years, visited nearly every town in
+the kingdom, on commercial pursuits, at intervals of six
+months; and wherever I have met with the brazen
+advertisers alluded to, I have issued public notices,
+and inserted counter-advertisements, to put my friends
+and the public on their guard against such egregious
+imposition. Such a step, spiritedly carried out, has uniformly
+proved successful, and the notable pretenders
+have decamped from Bath to Norwich, from Brighton to
+Carlisle, sometimes assuming other names, or changing
+the initial letters; as S. and E., who had been vapouring
+away at Norwich, suddenly flitted to Margate, and
+there announced themselves as C. and B., the celebrated
+opticians from the Royal Eye Infirmaries, &amp;c. &amp;c. For
+low cunning and unprincipled trickery, such adventurers
+as I have described, stand unrivalled. Upon several
+occasions they have echoed my cautions, and copied,
+word for word, remarks levelled at themselves; hoping
+thus to shield themselves from detection, and confuse
+the public in identifying them; as the pick-pocket, when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>
+the hue and cry is raised of stop-thief, joins in the
+shout, in order to allay suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>It is in the provincial towns that such persons are
+most successful; the game is seldom played in the
+metropolis with so much effect; and although some of
+the tribe have been lately launching forth dashing advertisements
+in the London papers, it is understood
+to be with the design of attracting country customers,
+and overwhelming their dupes with an idea of their
+<em>professional</em> importance, rather than with the expectation
+of effecting sales in London.</p>
+
+<p>When they sally forth to “fleece the natives,” who
+would think of questioning the abilities of such renowned
+opticians, armed with testimonials, credentials, and
+certificates! <em>so</em> recommended by the newspapers, and
+patronized by such eminent practitioners?!!</p>
+
+<p>The fair trader would defend himself at the same
+time that he unmasked imposture, and protected his
+customers, if, when his neighbourhood is infested by
+such mountebanks, he advertised the simple truth. He
+would assuredly find</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“That those base slaves, ’ere yet the fight be done, pack up.”</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>A few extracts from the advertisements I have inserted
+in the London and provincial journals may be
+useful as specimens.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“Spectacle swindlers are now practising deceptions upon the
+public to an unparalleled extent! They are principally wandering
+tribes of licensed hawkers, who change their names, or shift their
+residences, as occasion requires; copy the language of honest men,
+and puff off, as their own inventions, the very articles, which, without
+a shade of difference, have been regularly made and sold for
+above two hundred years. To accomplish their designs of fleecing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>
+the public, they resort to the most pompous and extravagant eulogiums
+on the peculiar virtues of their ‘Saxon Crystals!’ ‘Patent
+Preservers!’ ‘Tinted Amber!’ and ‘Light Refractors!’ ridiculous
+terms, which <em>they have</em> invented, and which, embellished with a
+long list of distinguished names, are calculated to entrap, and impose
+upon the uninitiated.</p>
+
+<p>“Spectacle wearers, beware! those tricksters, with all their lofty
+pretensions, are ignorant quacks. Their charges for the trash they
+foist upon you, are beyond all precedent, enormous!</p>
+
+<p>“The flagrant impositions daily practised on Spectacle wearers,
+by hawkers and ignorant pretenders, imperatively demand exposure.
+The boasting charlatans are certainly indebted to the silence
+of practical opticians for their successful career, since persons requiring
+optical aid eagerly listen to whoever promises most. To
+those who have been victimized not another word is necessary to
+direct their choice, but experience calls on all who need optical remedies
+to profit by advice, and procure such important scientific
+instruments only of the known working optician or his resident
+agent, and thereby insure every advantage—better quality, lower
+charges, a liberal trial, and an exchange if not approved of.”</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>“The patronage such individuals quote has never been
+bestowed, or has been surreptitiously obtained. Mr. C.
+has documents from celebrated oculists stating this fact
+most unequivocally, and authorizing him to give publicity
+thereto. He has the gratification of knowing that
+his efforts to expose such fraudulent delusions, to defend
+the fair trader, and to protect the public, have been properly
+appreciated by the reflecting and intelligent, who
+perceive the impropriety of countenancing persons who
+resort to falsehood, misrepresentation, and dishonest
+artifices; and allow the superior claim of the respectable
+resident shopkeeper, whose charges are fair, whose desire
+and interest it obviously must be to supply the article<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span>
+which will suit and to make any exchange or alteration if
+required.</p>
+
+<p>“Beware of the tricksters who blazon forth their pretended
+discoveries, in terms which, however absurd and
+ridiculous, nevertheless catch the attention; and combined
+with an array of great names, unbounded assurance,
+and various manœuvring devices, enable them to foist
+their worthless wares upon purchasers at the most exorbitant
+prices.</p>
+
+<p>“Such charlatans are the pests of science, and speculators
+on the credulity of society.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. C. feels assured that his friends, and the public
+generally, will remark the necessity there is for some
+one, practically acquainted with the science of optics, to
+come forward and state the real facts of the case, at a
+time when bombast and chicanery, supported by the
+most shameless falsehoods, are put forth by itinerant
+hawkers and pedlars—the pretended discoverers of a superior
+method of constructing glasses for spectacles.
+He is anxious to expose such deceptions, and to protect
+the Spectacle wearer from the gross frauds and impositions
+continually practised in the sale of Spectacles at
+enormous prices, although made of the cheapest material,
+and in the most inferior manner.</p>
+
+<p>“Such Spectacles are productive of endless annoyance
+to the wearer; and, instead of rendering any assistance
+are instruments of torture, producing the most serious
+consequences to the sight, owing to their imperfect construction
+and the misapplication of their powers to the
+purposes required.</p>
+
+<p>“Persons requiring Spectacles are earnestly recommended
+to seek advice and assistance from opticians or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span>
+their agents, of known respectability and experience, who
+are capable of judging what kind of lenses are necessary
+in each particular case: and to avoid those charlatans
+whose ignorance of optics is only equalled by their impudence,
+in obtruding themselves into houses, and
+alarming the occupiers by declaring that they perceive
+serious defects in their eyes, the formation of cataract,
+incipient blindness, &amp;c., in order to give an exalted idea
+of the value of the remedies they offer.”</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>“T. H., Watch and Clock maker, agent to Cox, optician
+of London, begs to caution his friends against the
+impositions of itinerant hawkers, who boast of exalted
+patronage, wonderful discoveries, and superior skill in
+optics, professing to suit the sight by merely examining
+‘the figure of the eye.’ Such individuals frequently
+enter into respectable houses, and terrify ladies and gentlemen
+by declaring that they perceive serious defects in
+their eyes, and, of course, that nothing can avert the
+evil but their wonderful Spectacles; sometimes pretending
+that their only motive in calling is from their wish
+to relieve mankind from the chances of losing their sight,
+and to enable them to see as well at fourscore years of
+age as at twenty, while their main object is to fill their
+pockets at the expense of those who have fallen into
+their snare.</p>
+
+<p>“The fallacy of their statements may always be ascertained
+by the parties taking medical opinion of known
+value, and consulting a respectable optician.</p>
+
+<p>“It cannot be too generally known that the best glass<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>
+lenses, constructed on the most accurate principles,
+suited to the purposes of vision, and worked by hand,
+can be had of all respectable opticians, at from one shilling
+and sixpence to three shillings per pair, shewing
+that there can be no occasion for persons, who require a
+change of glasses in their spectacles, to pay a guinea or
+thirty shillings, and give up their old pebbles or glasses
+into the bargain.</p>
+
+<p>“A trick was practised at Brighton, during the season
+of 1834, which shews that those certificated gentry do
+not hesitate at trifles.</p>
+
+<p>“Two Jews, licensed hawkers, inserted glowing advertisements
+in the Brighton newspapers, couched in their
+usual bombastic style, but naming <em>one gentleman</em> only as
+having taken up his residence at Brighton, and stating
+that he would wait upon the nobility and gentry with a
+splendid stock of his <em>wonderful</em> and <em>improved</em> Spectacles.</p>
+
+<p>“A man called at the houses of the gentry, made
+many sales at the usual swindling prices, and disarmed
+all suspicions by inviting the purchasers to call at his
+residence, and make any exchange they pleased. In
+some cases, where the price was objected to, or the parties
+were taken by surprise, not having suspected that
+they wanted Spectacles until this <em>experienced professional
+optician</em> told them they did, they were, notwithstanding
+imposed upon, ‘for,’ said he, ‘to prove that I am anxious
+to preserve your sight, which is rapidly leaving you, and
+cataract is growing in your eyes, these Spectacles, which
+are five pounds per pair, I will leave you at half-price,
+and you may pay me the balance at any time.’ This
+offer appeared so very liberal that it succeeded in several
+instances, and, it is scarcely necessary to say, left to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>
+hawker forty shillings profit, five pounds being only
+mentioned to get more easily the smaller sum.</p>
+
+<p>“But the most profitable part of the scheme is yet to
+be told. Those who purchased soon found that something
+was wrong—the patent preservers gave great uneasiness
+to the eyes, which, suffused with tears, seemed to grieve
+at the simplicity and credulity of their owners. The
+residence of Mr. —— was besieged with complaining
+purchasers, who, when their turn arrived, were ushered
+into the presence of the other of the partners, and as the
+person who had sold them the Spectacles promised to
+make any exchange they required, they asked for a pair
+which would suit their sight, or a return of the money
+paid. The man they now saw looked at them, and
+asked, ‘Am I the person who sold you the spectacles?’
+‘Why, no,’ was the reply, ‘I cannot say you were the
+gentleman, but he was uncommonly like you, and he
+told me he would exchange the Spectacles if they did
+not suit.’</p>
+
+<p>“‘Then you had better find him and compel him to
+do so, for the trash he has sold you will destroy your
+eyes and ruin your sight. He is an impostor; I know
+nothing of him.’ ‘Bless me,’ said the disappointed
+purchaser, ‘what a scandalous shame! what would
+you advise me to do now, Sir?’</p>
+
+<p>“‘Why, <em>my</em> Spectacles are produced after twenty years
+of deep study and research, and manufactured, under my
+own eyes, upon improved principles, yet I only ask fifty
+shillings per pair; but I am sorry for you and though
+those you have bought are vile rubbish, I will take them
+in exchange, and thirty-five shillings for my Patent
+Tinted Crystals, which are the only Spectacles proper<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span>
+for the eyes.’ Thus the reader will perceive a double
+imposition was effected. A., after performing his part
+in the scheme of deception, kept out of the way until B.
+had completed the fleecing of the nobility, gentry, and
+public, and in a few weeks the <em>resident</em> opticians were on
+their way to other places, chuckling at their success,
+and inventing fresh plans of operation.”</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Page after page has been pirated from the works of
+eminent authors, and palmed upon the public as their
+own composition; consequently, though the advice may
+be excellent, the parties from whom it appears to emanate
+are vile plagiarists, whose <em>practice</em> is quite uninfluenced
+thereby. When imposture disguises itself in
+such a plausible form the difficulty of detection is increased,
+therefore our best security against deception is
+to transact business with men of known reputation.
+The resident tradesman has a character for fair and
+honourable dealing to maintain. He can be appealed to
+if any exchange or alteration is requisite, and the spirit
+of fair competition, now abroad, is the best security
+against overcharge from him; while the itinerant vender
+and pompous advertiser has to repay himself for such
+forced and expensive means of getting custom by exacting
+great prices, pushing off coarse and inferior goods,
+and practising any dishonest trick rather than not effect
+a sale of his wares. It may be said, with great truth,
+“his articles are not cried up because they are things
+that ought to be desired, but they are desired because
+they are generally cried up.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Liverpool Mercury of Friday, Sep. 15th, 1834, has
+some remarks on this subject, which, as they are important
+and appropriate to our purpose, I transcribe:—</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“We beg to caution our readers against the arts of all those who
+profess to supply the public with superior Spectacles; we have been
+for many years connected with the business, and we can assure the
+public that the Spectacle glasses sold by the advertising eye quacks
+are precisely the same as those provided by any respectable optician,
+the only difference being in the price. The charlatan varies his
+charge according to the gullibility of his dupes; sometimes he puts
+up with double the proper and regular price, but more frequently he
+exacts three or four times more than a regular and honest optician
+charges. We recollect a once famous optical quack, in London,
+who made a large fortune by cheating the public. He advertised
+<em>his</em> superior glasses, which he assured the public were all ground to
+the true parabolic curve by his own hand, and for each of these
+glasses he charged four shillings, whilst the working optician who
+lived a few doors from him, and who furnished him with all his
+glasses, could only get nine pence for the very article for which the
+puffing eye doctor charged four shillings. As we knew both the
+parties we pledge ourselves to the fact, and, in conclusion, we advise
+the public to have nothing to do with quacks, whether they be
+scientific quacks, who are plentiful enough, or other quacks, who
+swindle people out of their health and cash at the same time.”</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></p>
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>“Who will, for him, may boast of sense,<br>
+His better guard is impudence.”<br>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent"><span class="smcap">In</span> the early part of the present year I addressed letters
+to several gentlemen who figure in the list of patrons to
+the advertising Spectacle quacks, and enclosed a copy of
+the advertisements in which their names had appeared
+as giving unqualified approval to the trickster’s <em>invention</em>.</p>
+
+<p>From the specimens I have given of such advertisements
+it is unnecessary to give a verbatim copy again
+here; and as the truths which this correspondence elicits
+apply to one and all of the puffing tribe, I have omitted
+the names of the individuals particularly alluded to, my
+object being to expose a <em>system</em> of villainy, and not to
+denounce <em>one</em> or <em>two</em> rapacious creatures, while the rest
+of the clique escape detection.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, although many of the remarks in these
+pages may seem to have only a local or particular reference,
+they are applicable to the whole tribe of <em>locusts</em>,
+and describe the species too definitely to admit of mistake.
+The characters sketched are not caricatures, but,
+unfortunately for the eyes of her majesty’s lieges, really
+exist <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">in propriâ personâ</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Feeling assured that the Duke of Wellington would
+rejoice to see an exposure of such tricksters, I forwarded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>
+to him a copy of Spectacle Secrets, and the following
+acknowledgment was promptly returned:—</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 1em"><em>Walmer Castle</em>, <em>Nov. 11, 1838</em>.</span><br>
+</p>
+
+<p>The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr. Cox,
+and has received his letter and the work referred to: he is much
+obliged to Mr. Cox for the communication.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">Copy of a Letter to <span class="smcap">Frederick Tyrell, Esq.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—The advertisement enclosed frequently appears in the
+daily and weekly newspapers, to which, as your name is attached,
+I beg to direct your attention, and solicit an answer to the following
+questions at your earliest convenience.</p>
+
+<p>1st.—Have you proved the superior efficacy of the Spectacles,
+(as stated in the advertisement), and consider they merit your unqualified
+approbation?</p>
+
+<p>2nd.—Will you oblige me by stating what peculiar advantages
+you consider them to possess over the usual Spectacles, manufactured
+by the London opticians?</p>
+
+<p>3rd.—Does your approval extend to all the Spectacles sold by the
+advertiser, or to those which he designates Amber Spectacles only?</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 4em">I remain, Sir, yours obediently,</span><br>
+<span class="smcap">George Cox</span>.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>To Frederick Tyrell, Esq.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p class="center no-indent">Mr. <span class="smcap">Tyrell’s</span> Reply.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="right">
+<em>17, New Bridge Street, Blackfriars.</em><br>
+<em>January 29th, 1838.</em><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—In reply to your letter respecting Mr. —— I have to state,
+First, That I am not acquainted with any institution which is designated
+“The Royal Eye Infirmary,” to which he states that he is
+optician. The Royal Ophthalmic Hospital, in Moorfields, is sometimes
+so called, but Mr. —— is not optician to that institution.</p>
+
+<p>Secondly, That Mr. —— has not any permission from me to
+make use of my name in advertisements, as approving of any glass,
+spectacles, or other articles he may either manufacture or sell.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span>
+And thirdly, That I do <em>not</em> consider his glasses to be in any respect
+superior to those manufactured by other persons in the trade.</p>
+
+<p>You are at liberty to make use of this communication in any
+way you deem proper to counteract Mr. ——’s advertisements.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 2em">I remain yours respectfully,</span><br>
+<span class="smcap">Frederick Tyrell</span>.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. George Cox.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="r5">
+
+<p>J. Hodson, Esq., consulting Oculist to the Eye Infirmary,
+Birmingham, resolved upon coming to London
+to give me his disclaimer, rather than incur any chance
+of misrepresentation from an unjustifiable use being
+made of his signature, he being an entire stranger to me
+before I addressed him upon this subject.</p>
+
+<p>He authorizes me to state that Mr. —— has no authority
+or right whatever to make use of his name.
+About four years since a man came to his surgery, and
+introducing himself as the inventor of roseate tint preservers
+and amber spectacles, showed him a pair in silver
+frames, and, expatiating upon their wonderful properties,
+mentioned the names of several leading surgeons and
+oculists who had inserted their signatures in a book
+which he handed to Mr. Hodson, who, without suspecting
+the design of the knave, added his to the list,
+for the same reason, he said, that folks do so at a watering
+place, a library, or as having visited or seen some
+particular exhibition—in fact, because it was customary
+to do so. Four or five days afterwards the same individual
+called again, apparently in great haste, and requested
+Mr. H. to lend him two sovereigns, as he had
+immediate occasion for that sum. He produced a pair
+of amber spectacles, and said, “I will leave these as security
+until I return the money.” Mr. H. began now
+to suspect the fellow, and guessed it to be very unlikely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>
+that he would trouble himself to redeem the Spectacles
+(worth about twelve shillings) if he succeeded in raising
+two pounds upon them; he therefore referred him to a
+pawnbroker in the neighbourhood, whose business it was
+to enter into such arrangements, which were, clearly
+quite foreign to his, Mr. H.’s practice.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hodson has ever since regretted having (though
+inadvertently) given his signature, which, as the reader
+will perceive, is solicited as a mere matter of form, and
+is then made the most unwarrantable use of, involving
+the parties in many dilemmas, and exposing them to the
+ridicule and reprehension of every intelligent observer.</p>
+
+<p>The fact is, if one signature of an eminent person
+can be procured by dint of false representation or
+plausible pretence, the rest follow as a matter of
+course; thus Mr. Hodson signed his name, seeing that
+some of the “heads of colleges” were there inscribed.
+Mr. Soden, of Bath, gave his signature because Mr.
+Ledsam had given his; and Mr. Ledsam signed because
+Mr. Hodson had done so.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Alexander, Oculist to the Royal Family, was
+waited upon by one of the crafty crew, whose object
+was to get his signature at all hazards. The fellow
+fawned and entreated, but was sternly resisted by Mr. A.
+who showed him the door, and declared, if he presumed
+to make use of his name, in his quack advertisements,
+he would set a solicitor to work immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="center no-indent">Copy of a Letter from <span class="smcap">Robert Keate</span>, Esq., Surgeon in Ordinary
+to Her Majesty.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="right">
+<em>Albemarle Street,</em> <em>July 17, 1838</em>.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—Although I do not consider myself bound to reply to the
+questions put to me by you, being in utter ignorance of the use<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span>
+which you propose to make of my answer; yet I can have no
+hesitation in saying that I think Mr. —— has been guilty of an
+unpardonable liberty in publishing my name, without my sanction,
+and more especially in appending it to the document (a copy of
+which you sent to me), and to which I have never affixed my
+signature. I was requested to look at M ——’s amber spectacles,
+and I saw no others; and looking through them on a day when the
+sun shone brightly, they appeared to me to soften the light more than
+crystal or pebbles; and seeing the names of many eminent surgeons
+and oculists attached to various certificates, I wrote and signed what
+I have stated above, and I believe no more; namely, that the amber
+spectacles seemed to <em>soften the light</em> more than the pebbles.<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>
+I am not aware of having seen any other sort; and certainly I have
+not ventured to sign my <em>approval</em> of these, or of any others.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 2em">I am, Sir, your obedient servant,</span><br>
+<span class="smcap">Robert Keate</span>.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. George Cox.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>I could give the disclaimers of other gentlemen who
+have been trepanned into giving their signatures, which
+are afterwards so pompously paraded by the testimonialed
+and certificated adventurers; but these will suffice
+to illustrate the working of the system.</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“A wise physician, skill’d our wounds to heal,</div>
+    <div class="verse indent1">Is more than armies to the public weal.”—<span class="smcap">Pope.</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>I cannot but feel gratified, that this correspondence,
+while it has substantiated my arguments, affords an
+opportunity for those gentlemen to explain the real truth<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span>
+of the matter, and to exonerate themselves from the
+contaminating connexion, which appeared to place their
+reputation for that “quality called honesty” in jeopardy.</p>
+
+<p>I have received several impromptu effusions from
+humorous correspondents in different parts of the kingdom,
+where I have been and unmasked the impositions
+of spectacle cheats. One says—</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">“They <em>make</em> not spectacles, you say;</div>
+    <div class="verse indent2">With that I can’t agree,</div>
+    <div class="verse indent0">Both wife and I have worn their trash,</div>
+    <div class="verse indent2">Now spectacles are we.”—<span class="smcap">Quiz.</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="no-indent">Another—</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+
+<p>“A celebrated chemist has ascertained, by very accurate analysis,
+that there is enough brass in the countenances of the spectacle men
+of Duke’s Place and Petticoat Lane to make spectacle-frames for all
+the spinsters in the neighbourhood.”—<span class="smcap">Satirist.</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>I have, of course, laid myself open to the furious and
+vindictive hostility of those quacks, whose nefarious
+practices are exposed, and whose career will be checked
+in proportion as this treatise is circulated and dispassionately
+perused. But, secure of the approbation of
+all my readers who will avail themselves of the information
+contained in these pages, I may conclude with
+satisfaction, since</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="stanza">
+    <div class="verse indent0">Friends I have made whom envy must commend,</div>
+    <div class="verse indent0">And not one foe whom I would wish a friend.</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+<br>
+
+<p class="center no-indent"><span class="smcap">THE END.</span></p>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<p class="center no-indent fs70">R. COTTLE, PRINTER, BASINGSTOKE.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[16]</a> When the eyes are distressed and overwhelmed with light, <em>any</em>
+shade or screen is viewed with satisfaction. Coloured glasses
+“soften the light” more naturally, and present to the eye equal and
+parallel surfaces: parasols, veils, and even opaque substances, may
+thus be said to shield the eye, and “modify bright and strong light,”
+but it would be as ridiculous to consider these as fit mediums for the
+ordinary purposes of vision, as it is to select amber for the purpose.</p>
+
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter transnote">
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2>
+
+<ul>
+<li>pg 43 Changed: and the eminent individval himself<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: and the eminent individual himself</span></li>
+
+<li>pg 45 Changed: ground in a pecular manner<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: ground in a peculiar manner</span></li>
+
+<li>pg 45 Changed: the only real original manufacter of them<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: the only real original manufacturer of them</span></li>
+
+<li>pg 49 Changed: received from the first familes<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: received from the first families</span></li>
+
+<li>pg 60 Changed: charge according to the gullibilty of his dupes<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: charge according to the gullibility of his dupes</span></li>
+
+<li>pg 61 Changed: being to expose a system of villany<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: being to expose a system of villainy</span></li>
+
+<li>pg 62 Changed: The Royal Opthalmic Hospital, in Moorfields<br>
+<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: The Royal Ophthalmic Hospital, in Moorfields</span></li>
+
+<li>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75415 ***</div>
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #75415 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75415)