The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-08-25
ALL ABOUT LOoKING-GLAssBS.
BY arRs. z. z. vIcror.

Why do people, 1 wonder, buy such
hideous lOOking-glasses as they do. 1
arise sometimes tired enough and hur-
ried enough, in travelling, TO see things
a little crooked at the best. The bewil-
derment and haste are not lessened on
consulting a square of wavy, defective
glass with a sheeting Of quicksilver on
the reverse. 1t is like looking into wa
ter in motiOn;-it makes one seasick.
Then of how much use is mirror which
reflects ones face Of a quarter more than
its real breadth or length; or worse still,
as if distorted by the grip of a desperate
paralysis. 1t would be safer to trust to
the sense of touch for evidence of effect
in dressing, than to so false a reflection.
And yet how many house-keepers
seem not to know that one mirror is bet
ter or worse than another? If they have
a lOOking-glass stuck against a wall
somewhere-anywhere-they think 1t
enough. But that is all mistake. a
mirror, to fulfill its real mission, must
bear some general proportion to the OBJ
ject to be reflected. The human face,
generally, is of greater length than
breadth. So should the mirror be in
which it is intended the face only should
be seen; by that I mean small ones.
Full length mirrors must be, of neces-
sity, in that proportion. Those intended
for mantles being long in the other di-
NJ go1dnr,, nj - l., -,
But that depends again great deal on
the quality Of the glass. To determine
the quality, put the edge of your thumb
nail against the glass and observe the
thickness, which will appear between
the nail and its reflection. Try the glass
all over in that way. If the glass is an
eighth Of an inch thick, and even, it is
all right in that respect. Then plac,
your mirror in good light, and placl
some white object before it. If the re
fiection is the least tinged with green
do not take that glass, for you will 10
wish to look jaundiced every time yOl
see yourself in your mirror.
When your mirror is purchased let j
be hung 6etween two good lights-no
opposite to them, nor to any; for in tina
case it would reflect the light direct, an,
give you very poor chance of appear
ing well in your own eyes. You will lool
far better, and far more like yourself
if you give the mirror an opportunity O
rejecting only so much of the light a
shines upon yonr face. Don't be invei
gled, either, into buying the handsomes
dressing-bureau before testing the quail
tiles of the mirror. 1t is just as easy {
have a good article as poor one if yo
are quite determined not to have the lai
ter.
1t is somewhat curious to note til
value attached to mirrors in all age
From Ewes time to our own they hav
been asteemed Of great importanc,
Probably Eve tried on her fig-leaves b
the side of some quiet pool, the mani
factures not having advanced much ;
that date. But we hear that in a fe
generations there were "artificers
brass and iron," and have reason to col
clude that the uses Of polished surfac,
had been some time discovered. II
bellies Of ancient Egypt were not will
out these important accessories of IL
toilet; and from Egypt came the fir
knowledge of luxury to the inhabitan
of Europe.
But it was in Venice, the city of I'll
sea, that the art of making glass mirror
was discovered. So precious were the
in that age, that great fortunes wei
made by their manufacture; and no,
atty spared no expense in embellisbin
the glass in which it beheld itself p
fiected, loading the frames of the roy,
mirrors with the costliest Jewels. late
France borrowed the art, and continu
now to manufacture very superior pla
glass mirrors. Some firms in the Unit,
States produce a good article of 4
same; but the French have the high,
reputation. Whoever it is, is guilty
palming off upon the people tn,
wretched, distorting, dizzying thin
in cheap mahogany frames, ought to