Mirror (Kelly’s), Dr. Dee’s speculum. Kelly was the doctor’s speculator or seer. The speculum resembled a “piece of polished cannel coal.”
Kelly did all his feats upon
The devil’s looking-glass, a stone.
S. Butler, Hudibras (1663-78).
Mirror (Lao’s), a looking-glass which reflected the mind as well as the outward form.—Goldsmith, Citizen of the World, xlv. (1759).
Mirror (Merlin’s Magic) or Venus’s looking-glass, fabricated in South Wales, in the days of King Ryence. It would show to those that looked therein anything which pertained to them, anything that a friend or foe was doing. It was round like a sphere, and was given by Merlin to King Ryence.
That never foe his kingdom might invade
But he it knew at home before he heard
Tidings thereof.
Britomart, who was King Ryence’s daughter and heiress, saw in the mirror her future husband and also his name, which was Sir Artegal.—Spenser, Faëry Queen, iii. 2 (1590).
Mirror (Prester John’s), a mirror which possessed similar virtues to that made by Merlin. Prester John could see therein whatever was taking place in any part of his dominions.
*** Dr. Dee’s speculum was also spherical, and possessed a similar reputed virtue.
Mirror (Reynard’s Wonderful). This mirror existed only in the brain of Master Fox. He told the queen lion that whoever looked therein could see what was being done a mile off. The wood of the frame was part of the same block out of which Crampart’s magic horse was made.—Reynard the Fox, xii. (1498).
Mirror (Venus’s), generally called “Venus’s looking-glass,” the same as Merlin’s magic mirror (q.v.).