[1] In the month of August, 1838, the solicitor to the Duke of Wellington waited upon Sir Frederick Roe, at Bow-street, in reference to the use which had been made of his grace’s name by “The London Equitable Loan Company.” A gentleman, who was desirous of purchasing shares in the company, seeing the Duke of Wellington mentioned as patron, and that the account of the company was kept with the Bank of England, wrote to the Duke to ascertain if it were true that he was connected with the concern? The duke never had consented to become a patron, but, on the contrary, when asked to do so, answered that he was so situated that he could not comply with their request. On receiving the communication the duke wrote to Sir F. Roe, to see what could be done to guard the public against any transaction which might be entered into in consequence of the use made of his name; and in answer to a letter written by him to the Bank of England, he was informed “that no such company was known there, nor had they any account of the London Equitable Loan Company.” The publicity given to this manœuvre has no doubt saved many a family from enthralment and destitution. CHAPTER II. “The subject is of universal importance, since every man, woman, and child in the empire will probably require optical assistance.”—ABBOTT. The eyes, when in a sound and healthy state, instinctively adjust themselves at a distance of twelve inches from a book or paper, when they are observing the same. This distance is found to be most natural and agreeable; for when we extend it to sixteen, twenty, or thirty inches, the chrystalline lens is stimulated to keep a distinct and clear perception, until, as the distance increases, the object becomes less and less perceptible. When we are compelled to extend this natural distance, experience difficulty in reading small characters, or find it necessary to get more light on what we are observing, we may safely conclude that artificial assistance is needed, and that, judiciously applied, the tendency to decay will be mildly arrested. The design of spectacles is to supply the loss of power which is experienced by the eyes at different periods of life, and arising from various causes. These productions of art are constructed with a close observance to, and act upon, the same principles as those by which the process of vision is regulated.