The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (August 1893)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 115 Memo from my Note Book. LANTERNS AT EXHIBITION OF 1851. By Ricnarp Empson. (Continued from page 104.) Between the sides and the front and back there are diaphragms of black leather, bent like the bellows of an accordion, to allow of the angular movement and yet prevent any light from escaping. The front slides are put in from above, which is found to be even more convenient than in the former arrangement. The front lever, which opens and closes the shutters, is bent to allow of this, and is moveable about a ring round the chimney, whilst a semi-circular space in the top, above the centre tube, allows of the motion of the cranks of revolving slides. Now, the light being placed in the centre of such a box, it is clear that it will, at whatever angle the tubes are inclined, prove true with respect to the light. When the side tubes are placed in such a manner that they form with it an angle of 68°, or even Jess, this will allow of the back of the prism being inclined so much less, and a perfect disc obtained of seven feet diameter at twelve feet distance, with a plain right angle prism, and if a lenticular, right-angled prism be employed, of about thirty inches focal length, the diameter of the disc will be increased to nine or ten feet. This is sufficient for every ordinary purpose, giving a twenty-feet disc at twenty-four feet distance, perfectly bright, and only a very slight imperfection at the side furthest from the centre owing to the lenticular side sloping a little from the direct axis of light. In order, however, to remove this last imperfection, Mr. Beechey has had constructed a prism, which he believes will be found of the most perfect form. Thus constituted, the prismatic trinoptric lantern becomes a very perfect instrument for lectures and exhibitions. The pictures produced by the sides are equal to those of the front. Three perfect lanterns are in the hands of the operator at once, which can all be made to bear upon one point, producing the most beautiful dioramic effects. A single light, whether the ogygen and lime lamp or a small camphine or good solar lamp, according as the exhibition is large or small, is all that is required, though the oxygen and lime light is greatly to be preferred, as free from heat or smell, and so very superior in intensity. . The trinoptric and dioptric prismatic lanterns, within less compass than a single lantern of the ordinary construction, combine all the powers | dust. “Quite ready, sir,” I returned: ‘‘ Well, I won't of two or three distinct lanterns : with only one small lamp of intense brightness a perfectlydefined disc of twenty feet from each tube may be obtained ; the disc, by meaus of the prism, may be united to produce perfect coincidence, or at various distances. The lamp is on the fountain principle, with a small circular wick : a small tube passes through centre of wick for the purpose of supplying oxygen gas, by which an intense light is produced, nearly equal in illuminating power to the oxy-hydrogen of Drummond. —-:0:— An Angel in Moleskin (A SHORT STORY FOR LANTERN ILLUSTRATIONS), By Jack O’ LANTERN. (Concluded from page 105). (19) I wap not seen him thus dressed before. Here stood a man in what had once been white moleskin clothes, now besmeared with oil and smoke. His face, too, resembled that of a miner, and was not altogether prepossessing, grimed as it was with a cosmetic of grease, dirt, and coal“My little job ready, guv’nor,” he said. take it now,” he went on, ‘‘shall be out in an hour or so and will drop in; must have a wash before I can handle anything you know. My fireman,” he continued, ‘‘has been away to day, poor chap, on the sick list, so I’ve had a stiff time to myself.” And addressing X% L, 310, ‘ Boy’s getting on, Baxter. Did you notice him with his mother?’’ Baxter nodded. ‘ Bless you,I can see him getting stronger every day,and hope now to make a man of him.” ‘ Ah,” remarked Baxter, ‘‘it wasn’t the doctor that pulled him through, Fred, but your own nursing.”’ “ Put it down,” said Fred, ‘a bit to each, and the main lump to God,” and agaiv turning to me said, ‘‘ Shall see you later on, guv’nor; for the prescnt, ta-ta.” “4 bit to each,” muttered Baxter, ‘‘ and the main lump to God. That’s Fred all over ; can’t stand the slightest praise! The most unselfish nature I have known. So you will say when you've seen more of him.” (20) “« Why, sir, all last winter, andit was a long and trying one as you remember, that man struggled manfully in keeping the wolf not only from his own door but from those he loved and cared for. Hight of ’em living on his scanty earnings. What is he? Oh, drives a donkey engine or something of that sort on the NorthEastern, the wages for which are little enough under ordinary circumstances, but with a child at death’s door for weeks, and an old mother not much better, the pinch ’o the shoe is doubly