The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (December 1890)

The Optical Magio Lantern Journal and Photographio Enlarger. 67 YACHTING STUDIES.— Messrs. G. West and Son, of Southsea, who have acquired a reputation for their fine photographs of yachting studies, have added the making of lantern slides from their negatives to their business. This firm have sent us a few interesting slides of yachts under fullsail. We recently projected them, ata public exhibition, on a r6ft. screen, and they fairly ‘brought aown the house.” METAL SLIDE BrnDERS.—A binder and mat in one has been devised by Mr. Moore, of Birmingham. The binder, which is first coated with a cement, is bent over the edges of the slide, then rubbed smooth with a special tool for the purpose. One unaccustomed to this style of binding slides requires some practice before becoming proficient; but after this has been attained slides can be quickly and well bound in a short spacc of time. lasting wear, and look very neat. CATALOGUE.—The eighth edition of the catalogue of Messrs. Theobald and Co., Kensington, is to hand. In it we find descriptions of all kinds of lantern apparatus, from the toy lantern to the high-class scientific instruments. We observe that this firm have a specially-prepared oil, for which they claim a large percentage in the increase of light compared with ordinary kerosene. Messrs. Theobald and Co. have also an interchangeable jet, which can, by the movement of a lever, be converted into either a mixed or blow-through jet. A strong feature with this firm is the manufacture of coloured lithographic slides, of which they have a very large variety. We notice that they have in this manner illustrated Stanley’s tour through Africa, a set which has been, and is, in exceptional demand. Besides supplying goods wholesale, this firm also do a retail business, and lanterns, slides, &c., may be obtained on hire. Sets for every conceivable subject in coloured lithographs are to be found in the lists we have received. These we recommend our readers to obtain for themselves. Stock SLIDE Box.—This has been received from Messrs. Humphries and Co., 268, Upper-street, Islington, who inform us that they have put them on the market at 1s. 9d. each. made, and holds 100 slides in batches of 20 in each division. JusT as we are going to press we have received an advance copy of Mr. Walter Tyler’s gigantic book, which has upwards of 300 pages. It contains useful information for working lantern apparatus, and prices and particulars of lanterns and slides. This we will review in next issue. 10% Correspondence. ETHER-OXYGEN SATURATOR. (Vo the Editor.) Dear Sir, —Your correspondent “ Lux,” Isle of Wight, ! may be assured that his three questions, respecting the use of : may be very satisfactorily ; the ether-oxygen saturator, answered in its favour. If he will write me I shall be glad to give him my experience with it for the last three or four years (address with Editor). H.R. Sheffield. Slides thus mounted have ever; It is strongly and neatly ! 1 : “ magic,” ; faithfully, [ fu the Editor. } Srr,—In reply to “‘ Lux," I have used the ether-oxygen saturator under every possible condition, and am clearly of opinion :—First, it is not, and cannot be, quite safe ; explosions will occur where there are mixed gases and a light, and especially when the pressure is checked at either end of the tube, as in turning down one light for dissolving. A serious accident is almost ‘impossible with the saturator, but the tubes are always liableto be blown off with a loud report, which is quite sufficient to frighten the average audience, and prejudice them against future shows. The saturator is useful for advertising purposes; or class demonstrations, or in the gallery ofa large hall or theatre, where the pops and cracks would not be heard or the smell of ether noticed ; but in a small hall or room, where the lantern is surrounded by the audience, some of whom might tread on the tube or touch the apparatus, it is unsuitable. Second.—The light is steady and nearly equal to the oxyhydrogen, but depends upon the jets, the adjustment of the lime and taps, and the skill and experience of the operator. If “Lux” is bent on using a saturator he should drive | hydrogen gas through it, and keep the oxyen quite separate until the gases are mixed in the chamber of the jet; he will then require about 4ft. of hydrogen with rsft of oxygen, and with care be safe from explosion.—-Yours faithfully, C. Goopwin Norton. 38, Marchmont-street, Russell-square, W.C. [To the Editor, | S1r,—I have used the ether saturator for a single lantern, and it answers well. For two lanterns, it is only a case of dividing and turning the current to 2 different burner; and if it will answer with one burner, it surely will in a second of the same construction. —Yours, &c., SATURATOR. Princes Crescent, Margate. CHROMO-LITHO SLIDES. | Lo the Editor.} DEAR Sik,—I enclose a short article which I should like inserted in your very interesting paper for next month—if you deem it of sufficient interest. I hope to see the Optical Magic Lantern grow more voluminous every month with contributions from an everincreasing number of subscribers. I think it would be such a capital thing if amateur lanternists were to relate in its colunins their varied experiences connected with that everattractive instrument, and which has such capability of application—the optical lantern. You will notice that I say “optical” lantern instead of I do this because I think it high time that lanternists should speak of the instrument in that way, instead of using the old-fashioned. undignified and childish name of “magic” lantern. It may be that chi/d7ven will continue to speak of it as their parents did in their younger days, as possibly they will think that the old name carries with it a'‘certain charm which is lacking in its moderm and more technical title, but which I think is much more becoming now that it has been ‘‘ evolved" to its present state of perfection. Wishing your paper every success, I beg to remain, yours ALBERT TRANTER. GAS BAG EXPLOSIONS. {To the Editor. | DEAR SIR,—LIave any of your readers ever seen explosions of oxygen or hydrogen gas-bags during exhibition, when the chamber of the mixed gas jet has been filled with wire gauze or powdered pumice ? I do not include attempts to explode the bags by sitting or standing on them, nor explosions with the ether apparatus. Nailsworth. ' In the endeavour to sell yras bottles, the dealers may, perhaps, exaggerate the dangers of bags.