The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-03-09
A Blue view or Blue Glass.

era. or the yellow fever, ACCORDING W
latitude, and the amount Of filth indulg-
ed in, decimates appropriation. Again,
the epidemic takes moral on religious
form. and we are devastated by reviv-
ais. temperance reforms or some other
fever that affects the moral nature. An
other time IN sre will run through the
country some social on aesthetic malady
Ia rage for old china, o passion for
dancing the german, or a determination
10 get cured Of real or imaginary ills by
drinking mineral water, taking varie-
IL OF baths, or eating Graham bread.
There seems 10 be in human nature n
tendency 10 act in concert physically,
mentally, and morally, and those Eco
pie who have independence or force
enough TO resist the universal impulse
are SET down as original or eccentric,
according TO their phase and degree Of
their independent action.
Just now there Is a very peculiar
craze abroad known as the blue-glass
mania" Gen. Pleasonton, an older
brother of the well-known cavalry Off
Ger OF that name, has u harmless hobby;
At least, il was harmless SO long as he
kept 1t TO himself He got the idea
when, how, or why does not appear
that sunlight transmitted through blue
glass has peculiarly invigorating effect
upon animal and vegetable life. He
sustains il by something that looks like
a scientific theory about the actinic
rays OF the sun, the chemical action Of
those Of one part Of the spectrum, the
development Of electricity by the sud-
den interruption Of all the rays except
the blue one, etc. IL is a theory that
will not bear examination by real
scientific scholar, but scientific scholars
are not common, and il has a plausible
look. which is sufficient TO impress
those who do not comprehend it. But,
apart from his theory, Gen. Pleasonton
processes TO have tested the effects OF
hight coming through blue glass by
variety Of experiments. BY covering =
grapery with glass, every eighth pane
Of which was blue, he got a vigorous
growth of vines, and abundance OF ex-
cellent fruit. Possibly he might have
secured the same result IL none OF the
glass had been blue, but he does not
tell us any thing about that. He tried
q similar experiment with pigs, and
those which were favored with blue
light nourishcd apace and grew fat.
So did the others, and there was pre-
cious little difference, SO far as we can
make out.
But the important feature OF the al
legged discovery Of General Pleasonton,
and thar which has given rise to the
mania, Is the supposed effect Of light
coming through blue glass upon the
human system. lie claims that il Is
peculiarly invigorating, and counter
acts in this state Of man the tendency
TO disease and decay. He raises the
hopes that by living in glass houses,
with sufficient variegation with blue
panes and panels, and abstaining from
the practice Of throwing stones at our
neighbors, we might be free from the
blues, have no occasion for blue pills,
and reach ripe old age in the full
vigor Of all our faculties. The notion
Of the General is certainly a pleasant
one, but we fear it is delusion. To
be sure he gives numerous instances Of
the cure of rheumatism and the Danish
ment Of pains Of many sorts by basking
in sunlight that came through panes Of
cerulcan hue. But, then, basking in
suslight oi any kind il beneficial, and
il would not be difficult to get up in
stances ~ cures by any process what
ever Who has not heard Of rheu-
matism being cured by carrying horse
chestnuts in the pocket? Let any body
start notion that a tarred string worn
around the neck will be a sovereign
remedy against catarrh and all TIE ills
that affect the throat, andin six months
plenty Of certificates and testimonials
can be obtained Of the wondrous cures
that Il has effected. The imagination
has remarkable curative powers in IL
self, and, besides, cure that is purely
imaginative is just as good as any other
for the purpose of proving the efficacy
OF blue glass or tarred strings.
The blue glass epidemic will have 70
run its course. General Pleasonton
first published his book six years ago,
and now has brought out new and en-
larged edition. After much writing
and talking he has got the mania start
ed and the importers and dealers in blue
glass are rejoicing at his success. Mean
tim many people are making them
selves ridiculous by putting blue panes
into their windows and bathing in the
sunshine with unwonted ardor. We
fancy them carrying the passion to fan
tastic extent Perhaps We shall soon b.
trying the salutary effect of looking
through bue-glass tumblers while alb
sorbing the contents. Our food may
receive imaginary nutritive properties
from being under blue-glass covers ans
in blue glass dishes. Next summer W.
may find people at the sea-shore sun
ming themselves on the sand undel
domes Of blue glass. People may have
this peculiar tpye Of blues with |
anNnrifu I'M 81 III tin1rn thai,. vary Hmm