The evening world., 1890-01-31
TIE WORLD. FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 81, 1890.

qualities as n weapon Of o%fonsc. but IL
SINKS into complete insigniticance before
the lorgnettc.
The old. Fashioned lorgnetles had n very
short handle compared with the recent
styles, and were HOneiimes very compile
ca ed i'll their mechanism. with lots of
concealed springs and gold rims Tor hold
ing the g!asses.
The most popular form Of the modern
lorgnettc Is n handle from eight 10 ten
inches long. made from tortoise-shell,
with letee frames Of the same material,
which simply Told into the upper part OF
the handle without any springs or even n
catch to hold them IN place.
Tho only variety that is possible is i'll
the cary ing Of the handles and their size.
Here opportunity is given for n wide
diversity III style, aud the design may be
made Us expensive us the owner desires.
The cheapest lUrgnette frames i'll tortoise
shell cost about IS. while those with
deliberately carved designs VI M ms high
~ s2'. Very few. however. arc kept in
stock which nre sold at above $40 apiece.
This does not include the lenses, which
nre usually OF the finest workmanship
and arc inserted IN the frames TO suit the
requIi emeuis OF the owner. Old ladies,
VINO now use lOignettes n great deal,
need usually n strong magnitying lens.
Others require lenses which correct short
sigh;edncss. and then there are the plain
glnss oyn's already mentioned which cost
nothing but the trouble of cutting them
ont. The best lenses are all made
abroad, mostly IN Paris.
Nh imitation tOrtOisc-she lorEnette
frame, made from u substance called
zllon to, which 50 closely resembles II
that good judges me o ten deceived, is
now very common and has q large sale
among thOs who cannot aiford to buy the
genuine article.
FIlA.4 - f.-.. - 49,. .-uAav1 ',.g a.. aa1
aud design, an nswer all the purposes
of the simou pure n%rticle. though they do
not last as long. ~ OnIte Il II KIND OF
crlulOid, nnl ~ manufactured III much
the san'o way. II rs used Tor many other
a~ftio,es where tortoise shell and ivory are
commonly employed.
The lurgnctie craze has started n new
fad III upeEi-gjnssrs. Ii rs not the correct
thing now 20 hold up the binoculars with
both hands, or even with one, but to adj
JUS, them to the bridge OF the nose by
means of a handle which corresponds to
ito handle Of the lorgnettc, and whose
general effect when i'll use il very start
ling.
fho handle is independent Of the
glasses, and IL adjusted TO the forward
crossbHr BY means of IA ratchet and screw
arrangement, by when II can be attached
to any pair of glusscs. The handle may
lie heightened aud shortened on the same
principle as the extension lead pencils,
watch keys or tooth picks, which persons
fond Of mechanical devices in such imple-
nlents often carry.
1t works with just enough friction to
mike 1t stay wherever il Is put. The
price of these handles varies according to
design, si2o II material from % up.
They can be made pi silver, gold, ivory,
tortoise shell. or anything which will
match the appearance Of the opera glass.
Siuce %lorgneltes have become So fash.
ionabie there has been n growing demand
Tor opera. glnss handles. and now they
can DO ssen any night among tho swell
patrons Of the theatres and the opera
house.