The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-03-17

universal impulse are set down as origi-
nal or eccentric, according to the 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 officer by that name,
has harmless hobby; at least it was
harmless so long as he kept it to himself.
He got the idea-when, how or why does
not appear-that sunlight transmitted
through blue glass has peculiarly in
MIGRATING effect upon animal and vege'
table life. He sustains it by something
that looks like scientific theory about
the actinic rays of the sun, the chemical
action of those of one part of the spec
trum, the development of electricity by
the sudden interruption of all the rays
except the blue one, etc. 1t Is theory
that will not bear examination by a real
scientific scholar, but scientific scholars
are not common, and it has a plausible
look, which is sufficient to impress those
who not comprehend it. But apart from
his theory Gen. Pleasonton processes to
have tested the effects Of light coming
through blue glass by variety of ex-
periments. By covering grapery with
glass, every eighth pane of which was
blue, he got a vigorous growth Of vines
and abundance of excellent fruit Posi-
bly, he might have secured the same re-
suit if none of the glass had been blue, but
he does not tell us anything about that.
He tried similar experiment with pigs,
iob fauprnH with hlnp
light flourished apace and grew fat. So
did the others, and there was precious
| little difference, so far as. we can make
out.
But the important feature of the
alleged discovery of Gen. Pleasonton,
and that which has given rise to the
mania, is the supposed effect of light
coming through blue glass upon the
human system. He claims that it is
peculiarly invigorating, and counteracts
in this state of man the tendency to dis
ease and decay. He raises the hope
that by living in glass houses, with a
sufficient variegation with blue panes
and panels, and abstaining from the
practice of throwing stones at our neigh
bors, we might be free from the blues,
have no occasion for blue pills, and
reach a 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 deluslon. To be, sure he
gives numerous instances of the cure of
rheumatism and the Punishment of pains
of many sorts by basking in sunlight
that came through panes of cerulean
| Dat ho hoal in ,,liCrbt Of
any kind is beneficial, and it would not
be difficult to get up instances Of cures
by any process whatever. Who has not
heard of rheumatism being cured by
carving horse chestnuts in the pocket?
Let anybody start notion that tarred
string worn around the neck will be a
sovereign remedy against Catarrh and
all the ills that affect the throat, and in
six months plenty of certificates and
testimonials can be obtained OF the
wondrous cures it has effected. The
Imagination has remarkable curative
powers in itself, and besides cure that
is purely imaginary 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 tt
run it's course Gen. Pleasonton frs
published his book six years ago, ant
has now brought out new and enlarged
edition. After much writing and talk
ing he has got the mania started, anc
the importers and dealers in blue glass
are rejoicing at his success. Meantime
many people are making themselve:
! ridiculous by putting blue panes int
their windows and hathinu in the sun
shine with unwonted ardor. We fant,
them carrying the passion to fantastic
extent. Perhaps we shall soon be try
ing the salutary effect of looking through
. blue-glass tumblers while absorbing tn,
contents Our food may receive mag
mary nutritive properties from bein:
under blue-glass covers and in blues las
dishes. Next summer we may find PEG
pie at the seashore summing themselves
on the sand under domes of blue glass
l People may have this peculiar type o
l "blucs" with severity that will ting
their very blood and make them NOR
: aristocratic. Indeed, we hope the cpl
l demic will be violent and proportionate
ly short. 1t is amusing to see peopl
making fools of themselves, but it 500
grows wearisome, and this blue-glas
folly is likely to be one of the most tire
) some.-B0St0n Globe.