Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-25
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH

fan victims to the looking glass as time
goes on. refer 10 these without being in
the least ignorant that there are other
women who employ IL I'm rational man.
ner. moved only by proper ideas OF taste
IN dress and feminine refinement This
sensible use OF It tends rather TO promote
moral health than otherwise.
Moses tolerated the mirrors which the
Jews carried with them in the exodus
from Egypt. but on seeing their increasing
multiplication and the evils II pro-
duced he suppressed it In an
ingenious manner: He ordered all Of
them TO be placed side by side on little
plain in front of the Tabernacle. In imi-
taton OF a small lake. for its adornment
and when they were in position he
brought down the rain, which rusted and
spoiled them.
Francisco l., who had a great know
ledge Of women, said that the reason
that there were few Of them who were
able TO resist the seductions of this ar
ticle of luxury was perhaps, because
the adornment OF its frame furnished a
preteXt for covering ii with pearls and
precious stonesl This royal gallant de-
clared that he had won the re-
gard and favor of more women with
a present of this sort than with any
other. In fact. IN his private accounts
figure large sums, representing the value
OF a multitude Of richly-jewelled mirrors
which he had presented TO favored fair
ones.
Pausanias and Juvenal attributed 10
the looking glass every sort of misfortune
to which woman is her. and Seneca was
greatly sCandalzed by its general use in
Rome, although at that time single
mirror cost more money than the entire
mo ri ~ "a
general of the Roman army.
There undoubtedly exists a mysterious
relation between the woman and the
mirror 1t is fragile, like her; is easily
soiled, like her; and when once soiled.
the defects which mar its brilliancy and
purity are clearly apparent.
The image reflected in the glass has no
thickness or subs ance; neither has
womans intelligence depth or profund-
ity-it is brilliant. lucid, versatile. per-
haps. but not profound.
Both require adornment. a nj
without a frame and a woman
dressed, no matter how beautiful
never attract attention or admire
The mirror is brilliant only o.
front. or diverse. side-its outside
We're. It's polished surface is dece
It Stimulates a solidity which it does
possess. and sheds around it pleas.
ana joyous light.
The reverse side is simply a coarse
gliding, and the fullest light would hard
~ be sufficient to overcome the absorp-
tion of gray duh tones by the amalgam
Of mercury and tin of which it is COM
posed
Many Of the women who shine most
in society owe their briliancy, like the
min f.~trr 10. he. 10.
made up Of their own vanity, and GER
tain means placed at their disposal by
the god of Mammon, whom they worship.
and these are they who sell themselves
10 rich old husbands in order that they
may shine the more.
The mirror is, furthermore, woman's
inseparable companion; as long as there
remains in her the least biz of youth
fulness ii accompanies her, even In her
greatest misfortunes or disgraces-to the
hospital. TO the prison, to the workshop
10 the hamlet 10 the palace. and 10 the
lowliest hut. She is separated from it
only when she dies or when she enters
tn door OF a convent.
Both of them lie in the same manner;
both of them deceive with the same sem
blalce of truth.
In the mirror the image is copied with
the most perfect exactitude without de-
parting in the least detail from the truth,
and yet what is reflected is, in fact,
the very opposite of the truth. The right
arm hangs from what is tn eft shoulder
I'm the real figure. If the latter advances
the left leg, the right leg of the image
advances to meet it, and vice versa In
the era of knee-buckles and shoulder
knots as insignia Of rank, the mirror
would have converted a lieutenant into
a captain.
Woman deceives in similar manner.
She reflects her husbands thoughts and
opinions with the Same apparent fidelity,
and with this very reflexty imposes ideas
upon him which he accepts as his own,
but which really proceed from her, and
are absolutely contrary to his. 1t is
this that enables her, when her plans or
ideas turn out badly, to throw all the
blame on him, and 20 claim all the elcry
when they turn out we'll
The true daughter of Eve permits her
self to be deceived by her mirror during
q certain period of her life; but i'm Old
age abandons it; but man, more loyal or
more credulous. reaches the very end OF
life always seeking in woman the refec-
zion of his spirit, without having reaped
from his experience any better knowl-
tQEt IMAM 10 ltCldlt. All OllcT UlIIplS
may lie, but mine tells the truth
But we must not be 50 unjust as to
speak only Of the vices or defects Of the
mirror Although it is quite certain that
during many hundreds Of years 1t was a
most pernicious and prejudicial piece of
furniture, the prolific source of many evils.
IL is also true that science long go re-
habilitated it, recognizing its indisputable
utility.
Physics, despoiling II Of its decorations
Of cold and gems, and giving it various
forms, plane. convex. concave. cylindrical.
etc. discovered many Of the secrets OF
light, and Newton with its aid designed
and completed the telescope
LowenlwecK did the same with the mi
so that. thanks TO the mirror,
the cellular structure OF the skins and the
0he cause of SO many diseases
and whose discovery has enabled physi-
clans to save so many thousands of liyes),
are no longer mysteries to the scientists.
In time of war the military photographs,
by utilizing the mirror. render most i'm
portant and valuable services.
Finally, the mirror. after lying so long
and 50 uninterrupterly. for once, and once
only, tells the truth, but that Is when we
are no longer able to perceive or recognize
it: Applied 10 the month during the last
OF the death agony, it announces
the exact moment of dissolution.
II.
Every effect has its appropriate cause,
and in considering the mysterious rela-
ton existing between woman and the mir
ror. ii is not illogical to attribute ii to
come dabolic influence. To my mind.
this conclusion seemed not only probable.
but inevitable.
This social problem. as / may call 1t,
had enlisted my interest very deeply and
I had given much thought 10 study OF
a, ,p tho hone Of arriving at a satisfac-