The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (November 1896)

191 place in a place of worship; may be out of place before a cultured audience or congregation ; but how many lantern shows are there not given in back streets to a very different class of spectator? Knvironment again! I maintain that a decently-painted curtain slide is as apropos to the beginning of a Scripture lecture as a motto slide with the legend ‘‘ Silence " or ‘‘ Don’t forget the collection ’’—unhappily too often the greeting on the screen whilst people are assembling. I happen also to have seen that particular ‘‘drop curtain”’ slide with a crucifix on it, and further, to know personally the optician who placed it in the window; and side by side with it I have seen more beautifully and artistically coloured slides than is generally to be found ‘‘ ready made.” Environment again ! I expect many of the ‘‘ monstrous things ”’ that neither Mr. Nash, nor myself, nor possibly that optician himself would use, find their way into appreciative hands, ‘ in furrin’ parts” for instance, where the dignity of the lantern is not considered—but something bright and highly coloured must be shown, or the seats (back and front) would be empty. Environment, once more ! Can Dissolving Effects be pro duced with a Single Lantern? By R. MOBS. “\ HIS question being so frequently asked 2y shows that there is a strong wish among a large number of amateur lanternists that it should be so, : and this in spite of the repeated assurances of experienced lanternists that it is not, and cannot be possible. The principal reason for this is that there are numbers of lanternists who for various reasons are unable to use anything more elaborate than a single, but who, for all that, want to put their slides on the screen in the most workmanlike manner possible; this, of course, being to dissolve one slide into the succeeding one, but to do this necessitates two slides being in position in front of the luminant at the same time, and also two sets of condensers and objectives, consequently perfect dissolving cannot be effected by a single lantern. Many attempts have been, and are still being made by the makers of carriers to effect an improvement in the method of changing the slides, to bring about a good substitute for dis solving, but as yet I do not think these efforts have been crowned with success, for in all kinds, either the slides are seen to move on the screen, or a curtain appears to be lowered over the slide, and raised from the one next to be shown. Both of these are open to objections ; the moving picture, whether in or out of focus, is very trying to the eyesight of the spectators, while the curtain effect, though it may be a relief to the eyes, is objected to because it leaves the room in darkness. And thus it is, that after using various kinds of improved lanterns and carriers, lanternists still ask the question : Can dissolving be effected with a single lantern ? My answer is—No, and yes. No,—true dissolving cannot be brought about in consequence of the conditions mentioned not being obtainable ; still a very good substitute can be obtained by anyone with a little ingenuity and nimble fingers. It was quite by accident that I found this out, as follows :—Our operator was giving an exhibition, using two oil lanterns side by side, and a fan dissolver. Rather more than half way through, the lamp of lantern nearest him gave signs of being short of oil, there was therefore no option but to work one lantern while the other was being refilled. I happened to be on the opposite side waiting to assist with the mechanical and effect slides, so took charge of the slides in his absence. I may here mention that the lantern was fitted with a lightning carrier. As we had a really good audience, we naturally wished to conceal our mishap as far as possible (and being up in the gallery we had a better chance of not being observed), so when next slide was signalled for, I slowly moved the dissolver over the slide as usual, and when nearly obscured, very quickly shot the carrier across and slowly withdrew the dissolver ; this took less time to effect than it has done to describe, and though about half-a-dozen slides were changed by this method while the lamp was being re-lighted, no one in the body of the hall noticed the difference. I have since done it in the presence of one or two practical lanternists, who pronounced it to be the best method of changing slides—short of actual dissolving —that they had seen. The essentials for success are an easy sliding carrier, and a very quick movement when the slide has nearly disappeared. This can be best accomplished as follows :—When the slide is to be pushed from the operator, firmly rest the middle finger of left hand upon centre of carrier, placing the thumb behind sliding part of same ; the dissolver should now (with the right) be moved slowly over and slowly back again, and