Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-12-15
MATSUYAMA MIRROR.
A WONDERFUL JAPANESE DEVICE
THAT PUZZLES SCIENTISTS.
Images Reflected Through MetaI-A Jap
anese Fairy Tale That WIZ he Enjoyed
Around Every American gireside-How
Mother Lived In "a Mirror.

marvellous lnlnB5 TO ne seen In lnlS
country of marvels chat first attract the
attention of the foreigner is the japanese
mirror. Its peculiarly consists in the fact
that it is made of metal-generally of
bronze-coated on the front with an anal
gam of tin and quicksilver and so highly
polished that but for its weight it might be
mistaken for an ordinary looking glass.
The back is adorned in relief with flowers
birds or Japanese characters which extend
TO the handle, and the general appearance
is that of handsome metal fan.
That which is most extraordinary about
the mirror, however, is the quality it pos
sesses of rejecting a luminous image of the
design on the back. In other words, the
sunlight seems to penetrate the metal and
display the figures that are otherwise hid
den from view. The attention of men of
science has long been attracted to the phe-
nomenon, but no explanation heretofore
given has proved satisfactory. The consen-
sus of opinion is that the effect is produced
by an unequal convexity resulting from
the manipulation of an iron tool accompa-
MED by the application of mercury.
In connection with these mirrors, the
japanese have pretty fairy tale and be-
cause of the poetical thought it conveys
and the pleasure it may afford to young as
well as old, send you the following free
translation as it has been given to me by
one of the English residents here:
a long time ago there lived in Il quiet
spot young man and his wife. They had
one child, daughter, to whom they were
greatly attached, and their home was
known as Matsuyama, beautiful village
in the province OF Echigo. 1t so happened
that the father was obliged to 20 to the
great city OF TOXIC, the capital OF Japan.
Inc mother never having been iartherirom
home than the next town, could not help
belng frightened at the thought OF he" nus
Oanu making such long Journey, yet she
was proud OF The fact, for he was the first
man III all that country side who had been
to the big town where lived the emperor.
AT last the time arrived for his return,
and dressing the baby M Its best clothes
ana arrayIhS herself IN the pretty blue
gown winch she knew her husband liked,
she waited To give nm welcome. And
Wheh ne came, now the niue glrl clappeu
her hands and laughed with delight over
the beautiful toys heriather brought. And
Tor you, he sad to his wife, Il have
brought tins. 1t Is called mirror. Look
and tell me what you see inside"
lie gave to her plain, white wooden
round piece OF metal One side was white
like frosted silver and ornamented with
raised figures of birds and flowers. The
other was as bright AS the clearest crystal.
The young mother looked into it with de-
light and establishment, for from its depths
was looking at her with parted lips and
bright eyes smiling happy face
What do you see?" asked the husband,
gratiiied at her establishment Il see u
pretty woman looking at me. She moves
her lips as II she was speaking, and-dear
me, how odd, she has on blue dress just
ike mine! why, you silly woman, it's
your own lace that you see, said the hus-
band, proud of knowing something that
was new to his wife. That round piece of
metal is called mirror, and every body in
the great city has one, although we have
not seen them in this country place before"
The wife was charmed with the present.
But the wonderful thing was far too pre-
cious for every day use, so she shut it up in
its box again, putting it away carefully
among her most valuable treasures.
Years passed on and the husband and
wife continued to live happily. The joy of
their life was their little daughter, who as
she grew up became the very image of her
mother The latter, mindful of her own
passing VANITY vi llItllllS utTStlI SO lovely,
kept the mirror carefully concealed, fear
ing that the use of it might breed spirit
of pride in her little girl. She never spoke of
it, and as for the father he had quite forgot
ten the circumstance. So it happened that
the daughter grew up as simple as the
mother bad been, knowing nothing of her
own good looks or of the mirror which
would have reflected them.
After awhile however a terrible misfOr-
tune occurred in this happy little family
The good mother fell sick, and though
waited upon with loving care by day and
night she grew worse and worse until at
last the sad announcement was made that
she must die Calling the girl to her, the
mother said: My darling child, must
soon pass away and leave you and your IA
ther alone, but | want from you IA promise.
Here is what is called mirror" taking it
from its hiding place and handing it to her
daughter. promise me that you will look
into this mirror every night and morning,
for there you will see me and know that