The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (May 1893)

74 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. A BOOK-cAsE has been presented to the Newcastle-on-Tyne Photographic Association, and gifts of books on photographic and cognate subjects are solicited. Mr. E. G. Lee, 11, Beverley Terrace, Cullvercoats, Newcastle-onTyne, is Hon. Secretary. a In a former issue we stated that we understood that Mesars. J. B. Colt, of Beekman St., New York, had discontinued fitting projection lanterns with parabolic reflectors. We received this imformation at the time from a prominent American lanternist, and had no reason to doubt it. Messrs. Colt write to inform us that this is an error, as they are selling more than ever, and that they are gaining a popularity with their customers, parties sending their lanterns to have 2, 3, 4 and 5 wick lamps removed and taking the parabolic lamp in place of them. A sHOoR? time ago a few friends took a trip up the Thames in a steam launch, and a lantern manufacturer (of not more than ten miles from Waterloo Bridge) who always wears a hat of clerical shape, was one of the party. Imagine the amusement (those who know him) created, when a lady present audibly whispered to her neighbour. ‘Is that your minister?’ Explanations and laughter followed. WE hear good accounts of the Ashton-underLyne Photographic Society. The Hon. Sec., Mr. Robt. T. Mainland, is fairly in his element at the lantern, consequently with him .at the helm, and a supply of good slides by the members, their lantern nights could not be other than a success. Their first summer ramble, on 22nd ult., was to Marple. : a nt * TuE inmates of the Rye Union Workhouse were on 4th ult. treated to a lantern entertainment by Mr. W. Stocks, who exhibited a number of coloured slides of Scotland, lent by Mr. T. H. Holding, Vice-president of the Lantern Society. Lack of interest and failure to secure suitable premises has brought about the dissolution of the Dundee Amateur Photographie Association. we sé aS a Wes learn that Mr. Lawson has sold the patent of his saturator to Messrs. Riley Bros., of Bradford, and that he has entered into an engagement with this firm to superintend the manufacture of this apparatus. Oxy-calcium Lamp. A New PRINCIPLE. In the oxy-calcium lamp in general use, a stream) of oxygen is blown from a small.jet through the flame of a spirit lamp, and the flame allowed thus to impinge on a cylinder of lime. In order to obtain a satisfactory light by this method there must be a large flame, and the wicks should be so manipulated that they are bens towards the sides so as to permit of the oxygen being ‘blown in the flame only, without coming in contact with the wick. If the wick happens to get in the way of the stream spoken of, it is rapidly consumed, the flame from it becomes smaller and the light deteriorates. Should lamps of this description be used for a double lantern, we have, as soon as the oxygen supply is cut off from one, an uncomfortably large spirit flame, so that whilst that particular lantern is off, the spirit is being consumed to the same extent as if the jet were used with the oxygen turned on, consequently for dissolving views the spirit jet has met with disfavour. Mr. A. A. Wood, of 74, Cheapside, a great user of and believer in spirit jets, experiencing the difficulties spoken of, sometime ago undertook a series of experiments to endeavour to make the spirit jet answer for dissolving views, and judging by the jet of his make which we have tried, we have concluded that he has solved the problem. This new style of jet has a hollow wick 2 inch diameter, which is placed in a wick chamber and is surmounted by a dome provided with a hole of about 2 of an inch in diameter, so that the wick does not project. The oxygen supply B is conducted to the centre of this hollow wick C; the spirit flows through a pipe A, which encases that through which the oxygen passes, and remains at the level of E; the perforated dome top being shown at D. The sides of the wick chamber are of glass, so that the height of the spirit can be seen at a glance, thus preventing all chance of an overflow. When lighting this lamp, the oxygen is turned on slightly and a light applied; the oxygen can now be turned off, when a small bead of flame will be found burning at D. It is quite