Now in all these quack advertisements, we find the names, titles, and residences of the professional gentlemen correctly given, which, possibly may be of some consideration. Indeed, I know it is to some few an advantage not to be overlooked, as their names are thus kept before the public eye free of expense to them, and they are, although indirectly, as effectually puffed into notice as the quack himself. Without charging the respectable and high-minded members of the profession with entering into a compact, and designedly lending the sanction of their name and office to these abominable schemes of imposition, and granting full force to the apologies they offer as to its “being customary;” “that the profession generally do it;” “that to interfere would be expensive and troublesome;” and that “it is the fault of the public, who suffer themselves to be deluded by such shallow artifices,” I conceive it to be the bounden duty of every man of honour, when those tricksters employ his name without his sanction or authority, to adopt measures to disabuse that very large section of society, who attach full credit to statements appearing under such auspices. But it is with spectacle advertisers that we are more immediately concerned, and it is therefore essential to convince every individual of ordinary capacity, that he can, by the exercise of common sense, and the moderate use of his reasoning faculties, safely and judiciously determine for himself, when spectacles are required, and what powers and qualities they should possess; either when the eyes first require restorative aid, or at any subsequent period of life. Amber spectacles have been bepraised and forced into notice as much as any of these quack specifics. I consider that the apathy and indifference manifested by those who know the statements put forth to be a tissue of falsehoods, are extremely reprehensible. No wonder that thousands have been tricked and trifled with when such novel and plausible pretensions have remained unchallenged, and those who know them to be hollow and deceitful artifices have suffered them to remain unexposed. Amber is so soft that a proper degree of polish cannot be given to it to make it suitable for spectacles. The streaks, specks, veins, and irregularities in it may be detected by the most casual observer. Glass and pebbles assimilate closely to the composition of the eye itself, but amber only imitates its diseased and decayed appearance. When the powers of the eye begin to decline, the crystalline humour becomes somewhat yellow, and as the decay proceeds this tinge increases.[7] Amber is strongly charged with electricity; it has an affinity for oil, grease, and human perspiration; “and it was from amber that the electrical fluid was first obtained.”[8]