The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (January 1892)

6 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. when this was completed, set to work to write a story in order to weave into it all the views. After getting it fairly to my mind, I sent the manuscript to a firm in London to get it typewritten so as to be more readable. In due time it was announced that I would give a lantern show, the Sunday-school pupils were admitted free, whilst their parents and friends paid twopence each; the takings to be devoted to discharging a debt in connection with the church. As I was giving the treat, I naturally paid all expense of oxygen, &c., &c., myself. The eventful evening arrived, and the biunial was in position, slides arranged, and a large audience present. I had intended to read the lecture myself; but some one suggested that as I had already done so much, and had so much to do at the lantern, that the lecture be handed to the parson to read. The introduction was somewhat cool, to the effect that he would read an amusing story, and that I had kindly brought my lantern to show the pictures which would illustrate it. The whole thing went well—in fact, it was a brilliant success, and towards the end I began mentally concocting my speech, in return for the thanks which I expected for the outlay of many pounds and much time; but imagine my surprise when a vote of thanks was proposed to the parson for “‘ giving us such an enjoyable evening,” &c., to which he who had read my lecture replied in what the stereotyped phrase calls “suitable terms,” saying, he was pleased to have been of any service; but it was, in the early evening, very doubtful whether he would be able to be present, and soon. It was certainly hinted that it was very kind of me to bring my lantern to the lecture. Imagine my surprise when I found all the credit bestowed elsewhere than in its proper quarter. As I said at the commencement, I have often told this before, but I have often had a laugh at it since ; for, as things leaked out here and there, it was not very long before credit was placed where it was due, and by way of recompence to— I suppose—my feelings and my pocket, I was at a public meeting presented with a handsome watch. MoRAL. Get some one to preside at the lantern, but be your own spokesman, for in nine cases out of ten It is he who gets the credit of the whole affair. 308 Mr. F. Brown, of 13, Ossulston-street, N.W., in renewing his advertisement of jets, says: I have much pleasure in testifying the efficiency of your Journal as an advertising medium. one hundred j-ts having been sold during the last eight weeks.” — Instructions Wanted, — By LANTERN PHOTOGRAPHER. WHEN w7// manufacturers learn that many technical instruments and appliances are of little use to a purchaser without brief instructions how to usethem ? Andas this instruction cannot always be given personally, short, printed explanations ought to be issued with each appliance. How often this has come under my notice. Now it is a complicated photographic shutter, which one has almost to take to pieces before finding a method of altering the speed; at another time a hand-camera, with almost as many movements as a lever watch, which the unfortunate purchaser has to experiment with at the risk of breaking some lever or pivot. Let me give a practical instance. Some months ago I bought one of Beard’s excellent gas regulators for a cylinder (I had up to the time used gas-bags). It arrived without a word of instruction. I used it at several lectures, lighting the hydrogen at jet first, then opening the oxygen tap at jet, and, lastly, turning on the cylinder valve very gently. I was disappointed ; the regulator wouldn't regulate, and, practically, this had to be done at the cylinder valve to prevent hissing at the jet. This went on for some time, and my impression was that the spring in regulator was too strong. But recently I made myself acquainted with the construction of the regulator, through an article upon the subject in these columns. The remedy began to dawn upon me, and a note from Mr. Beard set matters right. The tap at jet ought to be kept closed until the cylinder valve is sufficiently opened. Unless this is done, the regulator bellows never expands at all, and the valve in it never acts. Now why should the manufacturer, who knows all about it, compel a purchaser to find out this for himself? Asimple label round the neck of his offspring would furnish the requisite information. Mine is not a solitary instance, for another lanternist in myown town has quite independently passed through exactly the same experience with a Beard’s regulator, and had also returned a regulator of another well-known make (of course sent out without instructions) because he could not make it work under the conditions I named at first. It will be said that instructions are generally given by the retail dealers. Now, my experience as patentee of an instrument which is sold by dealers generally, tells me that the only way to ensure the user getting instructions is for the manufacturer to issue them frzzéed with every instrument. How long will they be so blind to thrir own interests as to neglect it?