“Such charlatans are the pests of science, and speculators on the
credulity of society.
“Mr. C. feels assured that his friends, and the public generally, will
remark the necessity there is for some one, practically acquainted
with the science of optics, to come forward and state the real facts
of the case, at a time when bombast and chicanery, supported by the
most shameless falsehoods, are put forth by itinerant hawkers and
pedlars—the pretended discoverers of a superior method of constructing
glasses for spectacles. He is anxious to expose such deceptions, and
to protect the Spectacle wearer from the gross frauds and impositions
continually practised in the sale of Spectacles at enormous prices,
although made of the cheapest material, and in the most inferior manner.
“Such Spectacles are productive of endless annoyance to the wearer;
and, instead of rendering any assistance are instruments of torture,
producing the most serious consequences to the sight, owing to their
imperfect construction and the misapplication of their powers to the
purposes required.
“Persons requiring Spectacles are earnestly recommended to seek advice
and assistance from opticians or their agents, of known respectability
and experience, who are capable of judging what kind of lenses are
necessary in each particular case: and to avoid those charlatans whose
ignorance of optics is only equalled by their impudence, in obtruding
themselves into houses, and alarming the occupiers by declaring that
they perceive serious defects in their eyes, the formation of cataract,
incipient blindness, &c., in order to give an exalted idea of the value
of the remedies they offer.”
* * * * *
“T. H., Watch and Clock maker, agent to Cox, optician of London, begs
to caution his friends against the impositions of itinerant hawkers,
who boast of exalted patronage, wonderful discoveries, and superior
skill in optics, professing to suit the sight by merely examining ‘the
figure of the eye.’ Such individuals frequently enter into respectable
houses, and terrify ladies and gentlemen by declaring that they
perceive serious defects in their eyes, and, of course, that nothing
can avert the evil but their wonderful Spectacles; sometimes pretending
that their only motive in calling is from their wish to relieve mankind
from the chances of losing their sight, and to enable them to see as
well at fourscore years of age as at twenty, while their main object
is to fill their pockets at the expense of those who have fallen into
their snare.
“The fallacy of their statements may always be ascertained by the
parties taking medical opinion of known value, and consulting a
respectable optician.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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