The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (July 1891)

128 The Optical Magio Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlargor. ‘fitted with a Beard’s regulator; the hydrogen comes from the main by a tube partly of ‘“‘compo,” partly of rubber. The jet is of the ordinary make by Newton, the gauze which was originally init having been removed. The nipple, as Mr. Vicarey notes, is a specially small one —first, in order to compensate for the low pressure on the hydrogen ; and second, because I do not require, and, in fact, could not use astrong light, my work with this light being only photo-micrographic. During all the time I have used this arrangement I have never had the slightest hitch with it, and it was only after long use of it that I ventured to even mention it in public. If I thought that my somewhat long experience of the limelight alone conduced to my immunity from mishap, I should never have dared to suggest its use to the general public. I have used the same arrangement for projecting ordinary views on | the screen, but I certainly do not recommend it for this purpose. Iam bound to say that within my knowledge an accident once occurred, producing some alarm. but no damage, when hydrogen was used from the main with a mixing jet ; but in this case the oxygen was in a hag. The baz was used in a way I do not approve of for any purpose ; and, further, the bag or the tube leading from the bag was accidentally trodden on, or in some other way meddled with. The nipple was of ordinary size. In conclusion, be it clearly understood, that I do not recommend the arrangement for ordinary use. The nipple must be of a specially small bore, and the Operator ought to be of as large a mental bore or ; calibre as possible. But I repeat, I have never had a symptom of danger with the arrangement. es How | Became a Lanternist.—V. | Bvoree Vice-PrestoentT of ‘the Lantern Soctery. (Continued from page 112.) I EVENTUALLY invested ina Bi-unial, but why, it is rather difficult to say. It is true that in giving a certain subject before a popular audience there is a little attraction perhaps in being able to turn a, morning mist into an evening thunderstorm, or a snow ‘scene into a fire, or Tintern by daylight into Tintern by moonlight. At the same time it suggests to the audience a little trickiness which may be acceptable to the young people, and those who do not understand or who are mere outsiders. But to the practical lanternist who is in “the know" it is not an idea to profoundly wish for Therefore, if I was having another lantern built, instead of having a double one I should have a single one, and instead of having the full size I should have one about Sin. square, and made so light that I could carry it, together with the lens and burner, in a box of small dimensions to any place I wished without having to resort to the assistance of cab, carriage, ‘bus, train or porter. I never could understand why lanterns were made so big, and I confess I do not understand it now ; but having had a great deal of experience and inspected a large number, I can onlysay I think bigness to be a mistake. ' | handsome that is perhaps the only disadvantage. I believe it to be possible, and I do speak as a partial outsider in this, to get a lantern that shall be duly ventilated, and thoroughly practicable of the small size just named. My experience with the oil and with the lime-light impressed me with the advantages of alanternthat could be used with either sources of illumination, so I had my bi-unial divided, so that either half could be used as a single lantern with the oxygen light, or the one half used with a four-wick paraffin. Talking of paraffin as an illuminant for the lantern, I should like to know if it can be put through any treatment that would prevent the disagreeable stench that follows its track. I believe it to be impossible, however careful one may be to exhibit an oil lantern without some effluvia making the room most disagreeable, and for this reason, if I am only showing pictures to three or four, I hitch on the gas bottle and am more than satisfied at the extra expense. But there is one advantage I find of being able to use the oil lantern in the house, and it is that at any time we may try the merits of slides one may be making. Having purchased, borrowed. or hired a new set of slides, one can readily run them through previous to public exhibition, with the aid of the oil light in any small room that may be at liberty ; and if at any time the oxygen gives out, one is at any rate partially independent, and there is consolation as well as comfort in feeling that you are not altogether dependent on circumstances. As material for building lanterns, Mahogany is all very well, but seeing that they have a metal body, I should go for eliminating every ounce of weight that can be taken off to increase the portable qualities, and therefore for all practical purposes a metal lantern is as good as a mahogany one, and if it does not look so It will be interesting for some one to inform the readers what will be the relative cost of Aluminium and Platinum for the purpose of building lanterns. The bright polish they take as well as the purity of the metals, their marvellous strength and almost unaccountable lightness, would be great advantages. (To be continued.) 10: An Illuminated Fountain, and How to Make it. By R. DORMER, NEWYOWNBARRY. (Continued from page 111.) ALL the water raised by the fountain could not be confined within the limit of thirty-six inches diameter, and as it would be very undesirable that it should be so confined, even if possible (the effect being much more beautiful when there is a considerable spreading of the water indescending), it is necessary to have a supplemental receptacle, easily attached to and detached from the receptacle proper, and, of course, emptying into it. For this purpose I constructed an appliance, resembling when in position a monster umbrella inverted ; the frame is made of stout laths, five feet long ; to one end of each lath a piece of wood, with 5B?