The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (April 1894)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 73 so smoothly as we anticipated, the light was erratic in the extreme, and by the time we got it to work fairly well, the oxygen supply was in a great measure exhausted, owing to an unnoticed leak in the bag. This was remedied, and we hoped for the best. Compressed gases were not obtainable in those days, and our method of oxygen making was original and one forced on us by circumstances. The oxygen mixture was procured from the chemist in the county town aforesaid. For a retort an iron tea kettle was requisitioned from the kitchen under the most solemn promises to bring it back uninjured, and to its spout, by the aid of cork, string and putty, some glass tube was securely fastened, leading into a wash-bottle, and from this by the cork and putty junction method, a pipe to the gas bag. The kettle was then put on the kitchen fire, lid luted firmly down, when my father, who had no sense of humour, immediately ordered it off, for he said he could not appreciate any advantage in blowing up the house, ‘‘ No my boy, make your gas out in the yard,” so out of doors a small fireplace was built with loose bricks and the gas making began; no bubbles came through the water for a long time, the kitchen bellows were vigorously worked, so that we began to think we had the wrong materials, but suddenly it rushed through in a torrent—stopped, we plied the bellows and away went the kettle lid with a report like a cannon, fortunately with no other damage than driving a hole through a window. The tube had become plugged with the violence of the action, and the lid had acted as a safety valve. Another supply of oxygen mixture had to be obtained, and this time we went rather more circumspectly to work and succeeded in filling the bag without accidents. Of course these preparations took up a long time as our knowledge had to be gained by experience and the help of a few books on experimental chemistry. The school-room was freely lent us for so worthy an object. The largest linen sheet we could obtain did duty for a screen, suspended from an iron tie-rod that went across the building as though it was made for it, I flattered myself that the series of modern fashions that I had carefully copied from some new fashion plates would be just the thing to please the ladies, and be good business. People were not so fastidious in those days and perhaps not one in twenty had ever seen a lantern-show, so the whole thing became an exciting novelty. After the manner of collecting in churches and chapels, we decided to send round the hat after the performance, at least, just before its termination, during the time some of the best pictures were on the screen. All being mapped out, the above advertisement was inserted in the weekly paper,:which I read and re-read with much complacency, and the rush for tickets was tremendous ; it was a great mistake as it turned out not to have charged for them, but let that pass, we didn’t. The momentous night arrived, the audience too, and the room was well filled long before the time. I had secured the services of our curate, who had vast interest in the proceedings, to give a sort of introductory address, not feeling very confident of my powers in that respect, before the lights were turned down, and I prepared to show the first picture. The illuminated disc gleamed on the sheet, and a brilliantly-coloured ‘“ Welcome” opened the show, wrong side up, but it was soon altered. A buzzof approbation, many long drawn ‘ Ah’s” and ‘¢ Oh’s,”’ when fizz, pop, out went the light, and we were, soto say, bathed in darkness. After a little time we started again, getting through about twenty pictures, when there was a repetition of the fizzing and popping. The audience were very good natured, and looked on this as part of the proceedings, till we again started with better luck, getting through most of the pictures before the costume slides were shown, which, 1 was informed, were eagerly anticipated by the female portion of the audience. The latest modes in bonnets and dress on a life-sized model caused raptures. The ‘‘ Oh’s”’ and ‘“ Ah’s”’ were more plentiful than ever, with a running commentary of criticism of the most animated nature. Now was the time to send round the hat ; everybody seemed in a good humour, and the show had succeeded. I just heard the chink, chink of coin dropped into a box specially devised for the purpose, when horror! the place was filled with dust and darkness, a report enough to crack the drums of one’s ears, breaking of glass, and confusion. Something had burst; there were shrieks and a regular stampede, until the storm was somewhat allayed by our curate—he was a brick—shouting out above the din for people to keep their seats— that it was nothing to be alarmed at—only a new effect that had gone off before its time—it was to give realism to a battle piece which had been reserved till the end of the entertainment. Whether they believed it or not it had the effect of quieting them, and they filed out very orderly, but that subscription—it never was collected. No other damage was done than breaking the windows and bursting the gas bag. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. It was some years before I ventured on another public entertainment, and when I did I took good care to get subscriptions in advance.