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diff --git a/75415-0.txt b/75415-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..525473e --- /dev/null +++ b/75415-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2386 @@ + +*** 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 *** |