able to see small objects without glasses at and after the age when others require their assistance.

But the use of convex glasses may be postponed for a while, without injury to the eyes, in deference to the reasonable wish of a lady to appear young as long as possible, or from any motives of convenience or preference; provided the eyes are used but sparingly for small objects, especially when the light is dim.

Such glasses should be chosen as render objects clear without much enlarging them. At first they may be needed only in the evening or on a cloudy day. But as each year lessens the accommodative ability of the eye, it follows that glasses will be more and more constantly required. After a time their focus must be increased because of the renewal of the original symptoms, the lens having undergone yet further hardening and become less capable of accommodative change.

LOSS OF ACCOMMODATION AFTER ILL

NESS.

After certain diseases, among which diphtheria, measles, and scarlatina may be especially mentioned, the accommodative power is often partially or almost wholly lost. In diphtheria this loss of power in the nerves supplying the ciliary muscle is often associated with partial and temporary paralysis of some other nerves, particularly those of the throat. For the time being the person is more or less unable to see small objects, to continue reading, etc. But, although the recovery of these delicate nervous functions is often gradual, they may be restored by appropriate treatment as the system gains strength. Every care should be taken to avoid prostration of the nervous system, and the eyes must be sparingly used until they regain the ability to work without fatiguing effort.

INSUFFICIENCY OF THE INTERNAL RECTI MUSCLES.

Besides the change of form in the lens, we have also, in accommodation

for near objects, a convergence or turning of the eyes towards each other. This is effected by the action of the internal recti muscles, which turn the eyeballs inwards towards the nose. Rays from an object thus enter the two eyes in such a direction as to fall upon corresponding portions of their retinæ and form there images which harmonize with each other. If these converging muscles act too feebly, although the accommodation may be good as regards either eye when used alone, the other eye being covered, there will be a want of harmony in the images formed in the two eyes when used together, so that a confused impression will be conveyed to the brain. The efforts made by the enfeebled muscles to maintain their accustomed action cause a feeling as of strain at the inner side of the eyeball near the insertion of the muscles, the discomfort often extending to the forehead above the eyes.

Continuous use of the eyes, when insufficiency is present, brings on a sensation similar to that experienced when any other muscle is kept too long upon the stretch, as, for instance, when the arm holds up a heavy weight. Frequent intervals of rest should therefore be allowed such eyes.

A disposition to turn outwards is often observed in very near-sighted eyes, but is then generally associated with serious internal changes which claim the first attention.

EYE-GLASSES.

The use of glasses becomes a necessity or convenience, at some time in their lives, to a large proportion of the people of civilized communities. If short-sighted, they require glasses in youth, as well as in age, for distant vision. If possessing normal eyes, they need assistance, with advancing years, for seeing near objects. The comfort and safety of the eyes often depends on a proper selection of these auxiliaries.

The glasses in most common use have their two surfaces ground of the

same curve, convex or concave upon each side. Periscopic glasses, in which the two surfaces are of different curvature, are sometimes worn, as giving rather more range of vision without turning the head; but their optical qualities are in some other respects less perfect than those of the usual form.

To avoid the trouble of changing from one pair of spectacles to another, two different foci are sometimes combined in the same glass, the lower portion being ground to the focus adapted for reading, and the upper part to that suited for distant vision. The same result is also obtained by setting two halves of lenses of the two different foci in the same frame.

Cylindrical and prismatic glasses are intended only for certain special conditions of refraction, more common than was formerly supposed, and which when existing are but slightly relieved by the ordinary forms of convex and concave glasses.

Near-sighted persons should select the lowest number of glasses which make vision clear at a distance without rendering objects smaller and unnaturally brilliant. If any difficulty is met with in finding such glasses, the eye should be examined by some competent authority, to determine if any unusual combination of lenses is required, or ascertain the presence of disease if the difficulty in suiting the eyes arises from this source.

When convex glasses are required by hyperopic persons for distant vision, they should be of such power as to render everything distinct. Those used for reading should make print clear at the usual distance, without magnifying much. Persons who need glasses of different foci for near and distant sight should not wear their reading-glasses when looking at a distance, for if they do so they will find them less serviceable in reading or sewing, and soon require a higher power.

The frames of glasses may be round, oval, or of any form and of various

material, according to fashion or prefer

ence.

As a rule, light materials and large glasses are best. If the nose is so shaped that eye-glasses can be kept in place without having too strong a spring, they may be worn if preferred rather than spectacles. But if the spring is too strong it often causes pain by its pressure on the nerves around the eyes. Cataract glasses should generally be mounted as spectacles, for they are worn almost continuously, and their weight makes it difficult to keep them upon the nose if framed as eye-glasses.

Whatever style of mounting is preferred, the frames should be adapted to the form of the bridge of the nose and to the distance between the eyes: so that, as a rule, the centres of the glasses shall be in front of the pupils. Men generally require frames with longer bridges than women, because of the greater space between their eyes. Silver frames are perhaps the most economical for the poor, since if bent or broken they can be repaired.

Pebbles, as they are called, are often praised as having qualities excelling those of ordinary glasses. But this is not the case to any considerable extent, even when they are made with care and at a much higher cost than other glasses.

Tinted glasses, or those having wiregauze around their border, are often worn as protectors against light and dust. When used to defend sensitive eyes from light, a mild blue is generally more grateful than a neutral tint; but a neutral or French gray may be worn if more acceptable to the eye. Green glasses are to be avoided in most cases, as they do not absorb or neutralize the irritating rays in the spectrum of light as it passes through them. Inflamed eyes often find most relief from glasses surrounded by wire gauze, which exclude wind and dust as well as light; but these should not be worn so closely as to keep the eyes heated.

Very thick plate glasses, set in spectacle frames, are sometimes used as a safeguard by stone cutters, machinists,

etc., whose eyes when unprotected are often fatally injured by the penetration of particles of metal driven with great force into the interior of the eyeball.

THE OPHTHALMOSCOPE.

In looking into an eye, our unaided vision usually penetrates but a little way beyond the pupil; but by means of the ophthalmoscope, invented a few years since by Professor Helmholtz of Heidelberg, we are able to explore the depths of this organ and detect the smallest variations from a healthy condition.

The room being darkened, the rays from a light placed near the head of the person to be observed are reflected into his eye as if they came from the eye of the observer, and the latter, by looking through the central aperture in the instrument, can examine the illuminated interior of the eyeball, perceiving every detail of healthy structure or morbid change as accurately and clearly as we can see any part of the exterior of the body. All this is done without injury or discomfort to the eye looked at; and the diseases of its internal parts, heretofore hidden mysteries, can be studied and understood perhaps more perfectly than those of any other organ of the body.

The benefits derived from the ophthalmoscope are not limited to the better knowledge and earlier discovery of morbid affections of the eye itself. This means of observation also enables the physician to detect diseases of distant organs by the manifestations of their presence exhibited in secondary changes in the deep-seated tissues of the eye, and to avert impending mischief to the brain by timely discovery of its indications in the optic nerve and

retina, in season to counteract the subtle influences threatening life or

reason.

DEFECTS OF SIGHT FROM MALFORMATION OR FROM CERTAIN STRUCTURAL CHANGES.

In a considerable number of cases where the eyes of children appear healthy upon an ordinary inspection, there is more or less want of acuteness in the sight, which is little if at all relieved by any glasses. Examination with the ophthalmoscope shows in some cases an imperfect development of the retina and choroid; in others there is commencing cataract; in others the cornea is slightly hazy from previous ulceration, or it is conical in its form.

A frequent symptom in these cases is a disposition to bring objects quite near the eyes; but even then they are but dimly seen, and not as they would be were the child merely near-sighted, with great clearness.

Such children should not be required or allowed to apply their eyes closely to small objects, and they should be carefully examined by a skilful professional man to determine the precise condition of the eye and its proper management.

Complete or partial blindness may occur during pregnancy or while nursing; but this should not cause too much alarm, as, if unaccompanied by permanent morbid changes, it may be expected to disappear, slowly, after termination of the causes which gave rise to it. But careful inquiry should be made as to the presence of any complicating circumstances, for if such exist the spontaneous recovery of sight cannot be so confidently hoped for.

Henry W. Williams, M. D.

THE

CHAPTER V.

HE news that the ship was on fire drove the McAlister affair as clean out of Mrs. Chester's head as a cannon-ball could have done.

That was Mrs. Chester; capable of emotions as fiery as ignited gunpowder, but capable of holding only one charge at a time. Moreover, there was a certain restricted sense in which this worldly and spunky woman was naturally religious. I do not say that she was satisfactorily devout; nor do I undertake to remember whether she was or was not a church communicant; my whole statement amounts to this, that she believed heartily in the other world, and was afraid of it. Not that she thought of it profitably or often; she only trembled at it when it seemed near. If she was possessed of a devil, as some of her enemies and some even of her relatives asserted, it must have been that devil who, when he was sick, a monk would be.

For the present the secret of the incognito was not divulged, and Tom Beaumont was not st'boyed at the foe of his family. In fact, not ten minutes had elapsed before Mrs. Chester, having flown to the captain for consolatory assurances, and got nothing which satisfied her, was looking up into the grave, calm, benignant face of Frank McAlister, and asking of it news of life or death.

"I believe," said the deep, mellow voice of the young man, "that the fire has been discovered in the hold; or, rather, it has been suspected there. Investigations are going on now which will let us know whether there is any real cause for alarm. If there is fire, it is in the cargo; probably a case of spontaneous combustion; badly stored chemicals, it may be."

"What a shame!" burst forth Mrs. Chester, trembling with anger as well

as fear. "Whoever put such things on board ought to be hung."

"They are not mine," he observed, in answer to her sudden glare of accusation. "Indeed, I don't know as yet that there is anything of the kind below. Only, it seems likely. Otherwise, how account for the fire?" added this investigator.

"I shall go and see what is there," she cried, making a rush in her dressing-gown towards the stairway.

"It is of no use, madam," ventured Mr. Wilkins, who had just come below. "Can't get near the place. They're taking out cargo, and the deck is all littered up; the Devil's own mess — beg pardon. Nothing to be seen but smoke coming out of the hatchway. I don't see, by Jehu, how those sailors can stand it down there. O, I s'pose it'll all come out right," he concluded, seeing the terror of Mrs. Chester.

At this moment Duffy arrived with an air of bringing a glass or two of grog along with him, inside his jacket.

"The Spouter!" he said, apparently continuing a conversation with Wilkins. "I say, Bill Wilkins, the Spouter 'd cool her off in no time."

"What is the Spouter ?" eagerly asked Mrs. Chester.

"Our fire engine, Mrs. Chester. Hartland fire-engine. I'm cap'n of the comp'ny. 'Member, Mrs. Chester, how Hutch Holland's store got fire, 'n' we put the m'chine at it? Had the m'chine out 'n' on the spot in five minutes. Took up posish at the cor

ner - "

Mrs. Chester, totally uninterested in the prowess of the Spouter, since it could not help her, turned her back impatiently on the somewhat tipsy Duffy, while Wilkins took him by the arm and led him to the other end of the cabin, saying, "Here, tell me about it."

Serious hours passed. Now and

then a man went on deck, crawled as near as he could to the lumbered hatchway, tried to peer through the boiling whirls of smoke, came back to the anxious ladies, and reported - nothing. Tom Beaumont, by this time as drunk as Duffy, and much more noisy in his liquor, was back and forth continually, talking unreportable nonsense.

"O, why can't you find out something, some of you?" was the cry of the angered and terrified Mrs. Chester. "Where is that Captain Brien? I want him to come here and tell me what is the matter. I want to give him a piece of my mind. How dare he load his ship with combustibles! He has n't heard the last of this. Not if he gets us ashore, he has n't heard the last of it. I'll follow him up. I'll ruin him." "Cap'n Brien 'sh all right," declared Tom. Cap'n Brien 'sh a gentleman. He's up there, workin' like a beaver. Don't y' hear him holler?" Here a ludicrous idea struck the young gentleman, and he repeated with an exasperating smile, "Nigger in a wood-pile, don't y' hear him holler?"

66

"Tom!" implored Kate Beaumont, who seemed even more moved by her brother's condition than by the common danger.

"O yes, all right," laughed the youngster. "Got little too much aboard. Go on deck again 'n' cool off. All right pretty soon."

"O, what a miserable set!" gasped Mrs. Chester, stamping with impatience. "Is there no clergyman on board? I never will go to sea again without a clergyman on board. Is there nobody here who can pray? I would give all I'm worth for a prayer-meeting. wish I had brought old Miriam. She could pray for us."

I

She glared around upon the men, angry that none of them could pray for her. Kate Beaumont turned away gravely, walked with bended head to her state-room and closed the door upon herself. Was it to lift a supplication to Heaven for deliverance, or for resignation? McAlister hoped so, be

lieved so with inexpressible tenderness of spirit, and sent his soul after her.

"I think we had better make some preparations," he presently said to Mrs. Chester, as she paced the cabin with clasped hands and partially closed eyes. "The coast cannot be far off. We may reach it in boats, if it comes to that. May I advise you to make up a little package of such things as you must save, and to tell Miss Beaumont to do the same? I hope it will not be so bad as that. But we had best prepare." Mrs. Chester gave him a stare, and then hurried to her room. The young man had decided that, as for himself, he was ready; he wanted nothing but his overcoat and the life preserver which hung over his berth; it was folly to think of cumbering a boat with books and baggage. He now fell to pacing the cabin quietly; and in so doing he approached the group of Wilkins and Duffy.

66 I say, sit down," called Duffy, looking up with a fixed, absurd smile, and striking his fist hospitably on the table in front of him. "Take seat, Mr. Mc- McAlister. Know you. Knew you ten days ago. Sit down over there. Talk about Hartland."