The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (September 1896)

152 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. Correspondence. ACETYLENE GAS ILLUMINATION. To the Editor. S1r,— We see in your issue of the August Journal, you allude to Messrs. Thorn as being the first to apply acetylene to general lighting purposes. Allow us to say that such is not the case, as we lighted the Grand Ice Carnival held at Ashford on May the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 25th, and were complimented on the beauty and brilliancy of the light and the excellence of our generators. We have also fitted several shops with acetylene, one in this town, and we are at present fitting two more. There are several dwelling houses also about here lighted with acetylene by us. If you will insert this in your next issue we shall feel justified, as this is an honour that belongs to us, and not to the firm you mention. Yours faithfully, THE ACETYLENE GAS COMPANY. Ashford. SLIDES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER. To the Editor. Srr,—Not long ago I gave a public lecture on Rome, illustrated with limelight views, consisting of pictures of the usual sights of Rome. It was afterwards pointed out to me that there was a want of the ‘‘ personal element ” in the views, such as pictures of the soldiers, Swiss guard, natives, street sellers,etc I have since made enquiries in London, and find that such views are not to be had. There is no doubt, a series of say sixty pictures, all architectural, is rather too much of the one thing, and I therefore beg to suggest that the set nowin use, should be improved by the introduction of views of the people, etc., of the different countries. As a matter of fact, when we travel abroad, we find quite as much interest in the natives as in their cities, considered architecturally, and in order to make the lantern entertainments more enjoyable and instructive, I think they should therefore be varied in the manner I have indicated. Trusting this list may bring about a better series of lantern sets. I remain, yours truly, W.L. ——:0: Notes and Queries. H. E.—We hardly understand your question, and are undecided as to whether you mean using acetylene with limelight, or using acetylene in a limelight lantern. We note you speak ofa bi-unial. If you wish to use the acetylene light in a bi-unial lantern you can do so, but in turning the light down in the ‘off’ lantern, you will have to be careful that you get it turned down below the smoking point, but one or two trials will demonstrate this. ao Mathews.—We are sorry the short article came too te. P. H. Grandin.—We note that you have at last managed to get your gas cylinders away from Jersey; the restriotions are certainly very ridiculous, but unfortunately they cannot be helped at present. Photophil.—In all probability the arrangement was a shallow dish with a glass bottom placed on the upper condenser of what is termed a vertical attachment. Small cockroaches would be suitable to give the effect you mention, but as for the eel-like oreatures we can form no | bright a light as oxycalcium. ' oxygen with hard lime). (2) If it does not, to what extent _ approximately is acetylene inferior ? , objectionable smell from acetylene (a) when burning | properly, (L) when escaping in smal] quantities accident idea. On the other hand it is possible that what you saw were forms: used with a microscopical attachment for the lantern. Major Godwin (India) writes :—(1) Does acetylene give as (1 use spirits of wine and (3) Is there any ally. .tns. (1 and 2).—Assuming that the style of jet is the average one of its kind the light would be about the same. (3)When burning properly there is no objectionable smell, but remember that an ordinary ga3 burner as used for house gas is of no use, you must usc one of the size 0000 or 00000, but you can then placo one or two behind the other. If a small quantity escape accidentally it will at once make itself known to you as the emcll is somewhat intense. P. H. G.-—In last journal an article re Tableau appeared. With the other lights down, you will get & more striking effect, but as you are to use all the light from the front it would give a softer effect were you to leave the side lights at stage on. D. 2. says:---Hehas a lensanda camera, and when closing the camera as much as possible, the picture on the ground glass is almost sharp, but not quite, and he asks what he can do to render the image sharp. He adds that on another camera the lens takes good pictures. Really the lens is too short in focus for the particular camera, which it is evident will not close up cnough, so tbe next best thing is to set the lens a little way in the camera—fasten four strips of wood inside of the front, and on this sccure a flat piece of wood with a hole in it to take the lens, it will be necessary to enlarge the hole in the present front so as to get the lens through.—If the difference is very slight, it may suffice to screw the flange on the inside of the front, you will thus gain the thickness of the wood. l'red Johnson.—There is no patent on the folding tripod head, which we described and illustrated about a year ago. We lent it to Mcsers. Newton & Co., of Fleet Street, and we understand that they have made several, perhaps you can obtain one from them. X. Y. Z.—Number 3 ia all right, but do not waste money on 1 or 2, aa they are simply rubbish. Film.—We have often experienced these troubles — Place the film on a plate of glass, and slip a rubber band over the two edges and put the lot in the developing tray, this will prevent it rolling up. Engineer.—Good flour paste is the best for slide binders. Many of the ready gummed binders on the market cause the uscr to utter wicked words, as they will not stick on the glass properly. Redbourne.—-We have no knowledge of such apparatus being on the market. J. P, Goldthorp.—The patent about which you enquire (14443) was applied for on June 30th, and is not yet published. DeEatH oF Mr. J. H. Stewarp.—We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. J. H. Steward, the wellknown optician of the Strand, which took place on Thureday, August 20th. Mr. Steward had for many months been ailing, and being unable to attend to business, these duties have for a long time past been in the hands of his sons. Se EE