The evening world., 1890-01-31

qualities rs n weapon Of ofense, but il
SINKS into complete insigniicnnce before
the iorgnctie.
The old. fashioned lorgnettes had q very
short handle compared with the recent
styles, and were sometimes very cOmpli.
ca ed IN. their mechanism, with lots oil
concealed springs and gold rims for hold.
ing the glasses.
The most popular form Of the modern
~lorgnette Is n handle from eight to ten
inches log, mnde from tortoise shell,
with leuhC frames of the amt material.
which simply told into the upper part OF
the handle without any springs or even n
catch % hold thom in place.
The only variety that is pus3ible is in
The carving Of the handles and their size.
Here Opportunity is given for "A WIDE
diversity ~ style, n the design may be
mnde ns expensive as the owner desires.
The cheapest %lOrpnette frames in tortoise
shell cost about IS. while those with
Cldborately carved designs run up as high
rs t25. Very few, however, are kept III
stock which nro sold ~ above so apiece.
This does not include tho lenses. which
are usually OF the finest workmanship
and are inserted iii the flames to suit the
requirements Of the owner. Old ladies,
who now use lotgnettos a great deal,
need usually n strong maguiiying lens.
Others require lenses which correct short
slghtcdness, aud then there are the plain
glass oya,s already mentioned which cost
nothing but the trouble of cutting them
out. Tho best lenses are all made
abroad, mostly IN Paris.
An imitation tortoise.shell lorgnette
iramc, made from n substance called
2ylonite, which sc closely resembles il
that good judges are o.ten deceived, Is
now very common, and has a large sale
among those who cannot afford to buy the
genuine article.
They sell from - M. accord'n g 10 size
and design, ana answer all the purposes
of tho simon pure article. though they 10
not last as long. ". onite ~ II kind of
CcliuloId, anI IL manufactured i'll much
the same why. IL II used for many other
a%iticics where tortoise shell and ivory are
commonly employed.
lhu lOrgnctto craze has started n new
fad in upcru-glussCs. 1t IN not the correct
thing now 20 hold up the binoculars with
both hands. or even with one, but to ad.
Just them to the bridge %! the nose by
meaus OF a handle which corresponds to
Tie handle Of the lOrgnelte, and whose
general etiect when III use In very start
iing.
Tho handle is independent of the
glasses, mud is adjusted TO the forward
crossbnr bv me ms of II ratchet und screw
arrangement, BY whicn 1t can be attached
TO any pair of glusses. The handle mny
DO heightened mud shortened ON the same
principle ~ the extension lead pencils,
watch keys or tooth picks, which persons
fond of mechanical devices i'll such inplo-
mouts often carry.
1t works with just enough friction to
make II stay wherever 1t IL put. The
price of these handles varies according to
design. size and material from 80 up.
They can be made oi silver, gold, ivory,
tortoise shell, or anything which will
match the appearance of the opern-glass.
Since lorpno;tes have leconla so fash.
ionable there has been u growing demand
Tor o%pert.gIass handles, and now they
cGn De sacn any night among the swell
patrons If tho theatres and the opera
house.