xvn EVOLUTION OF THE MIRROR 45 



would degrade him. The uncomely learned that 

 bodily defects must be compensated by virtue of 

 character. The young man was reminded by his 

 vigour that youth was the time for learning and for 

 performing daring deeds of chivalry. The grey-beard 

 was warned to have respect for his hoary hair and 

 turn his thoughts sometimes to death. It was for 5 

 this that even objects in nature have afforded us the 

 opportunity of seeing ourselves. 1 A clear fountain 

 or a smooth stone gives each back his image. In 

 the poet s words : 



Lately I saw myself on the shore, 

 When the sea stood calm without a breath of wind. 



What, think you, was the style of life of the people 

 who dressed at a mirror of this kind ? The age was 

 unsophisticated, satisfied with what supplies chance 

 presented. It did not as yet degrade a boon into a 

 vice, or turn nature s invention to purposes of lust 

 and luxury. At first, chance revealed to each his 6 

 form. In due time the inherent self-love of man 

 kind endeared the sight of their own figure, and 

 they came to look more frequently into the mirror 

 held up by nature in which they had first beheld 

 their image. Later on, when a worse race of men 

 ransacked the very bowels of the earth for treasure 

 better hid more deeply, iron first came into use ; 

 its production might have caused no damage had 

 the world produced only that one metal. But then 7 

 in good earnest were brought to light the other 

 precious banes of earth. Their smooth surface 

 presented the image of their possessors, who had 

 in view some quite different purpose. One saw his 



1 The meaning may be, In addition, i.e. to artificial mirrors, objects in 

 nature, etc. 



