Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-06-17
BLUE EYES INCREASING,
A Curious Optical Change in
the Last Fifty Years.
A Scientists Interesting Statements About
Blue and Other Eyes

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Blue eyes so bright and tender have
ever received the poets passioned
praise since the time when ancient
Chaucer built the original lofty rhyme,
and until today, when the frantic
lover, signing like a furnace, indites a
hating sonnet to the object Of his
passion. Men adore blue eyes in wo'
men and women reciprocate in kind,
Some one signs for the old-fashioned
girl of fifty years ago and complains
that sweet eighteen Of to-day is not
comparable with the Venus who then
walked the earth with sparkling orbs
of liquid blue
Tho present generation, whose only
knowledge of the female beauty of
halfa century ago is derived from da.
guerreotypes of the grandmothers or
such old-time fashion plates as have
not yet fulGlled their destiny in being
used to wrap small packages of tobac.
co, soap, and candles in country stores,
will be pleased to learn that, instead
of decrease there is an increase in
thenumber of blue eyes since the days
of George ~.
Speaking on the subject, an eminent
professor who has devoted great deal
of attention to the eyes gave this as
his opinion: "Without having any
data at hand" he said, :" would say
that, considering the causes to which
blue eyes are attributable, there would
be more of that color now than there
were fifty years ago
lie explained the matter sciCntih.
cally thus:
81 think so because the color of tho
eye depends on the quantity of the pig
ment deposited in the iris and the
amount of light tho eye is called upon
to absorb. Fifty years ago people
we're more exposed to the direct rays
Of the sun and lived less in retirement
than they do now, and therefore the
eye was called upon to absorb more
light. 1t would lie a fair inference
chat people who were much exposed to
free, open sunlight, and living in a
state inclining to u state Of nature,
would have darker eyes than those
living in city, wearing glasses and
remaining great deal in their
homes"
"Do you think the color of eyes at
srlbutable in any degree to climatic
influences
Eyes, the color is subject in a great
degree to climatic influences and the
methods of living of the people. TO
illustrate what | mean about the eye
absorbing light, you will observe that
while walking along in the snow the
eye is called upon to absorb a great
deal of light, but in looking on a dark
piece Of velvet it is the reverse, The
velvet does the absorption. Blue eyes
are increasing in number, believe,
not decreasing.
"There is another standpoint from
which the study of eyes is interesting,
and that IS in relation to the indica.
lion they surely give Of persons
character. The poet has called the
Syes the windows of the SOUL and un.
luestonably they are the most clio.
luent features of the human counte.
nance, rejecting all our qualities and
desires, our impulses our passions,
and often our very thoughts.
"By the eyes we form our first i'm.
oressions of PERSONS character, and
It is very seldom that we change that
arst feeling, be it good or bad, without
ihe strongest cause. Every trait and
quality finds expression in these mir.
Iors. Blue eyes betray two antithetic
characters. Large and bright they
denote quick perception and great sus-
teptibility of external influences. In
the gentler moro often than in the
sterner sex, they are found coupled
with fine arched eyebrows, in which
ease they indicate in men a refined ma
lure and asthetic tastes and in women
a lovable disposition, with predilec-
lion for dress, music, and the fine arts.
1t is principle generally recognized
by physiognomists that beautiful eyes
betoken corresponding beauty Of
character, amiability trustfulness,
honor, and devotion.
"Adorers of blue eyes and light eyes
generally will be not little disap-
pointed to learn that they signify cum
ming and deceitfulness, and that ply
sognomists advise us to beware Of
hem. 1t is rather startling informa-
lion, certainly, in the light of the in
telligence that eyes of this color are on
he increase.
"Gray eyes are said to denote intel
igence, coupled with studiousness and
treat mental capability, and adorned
BY fine feeling. Black eyes are un.
,athomable, and may either imply de.
.eit and unscrupulousness or noble
elevation Of character.
"Eyes like those of any of the lower
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