The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (February 1897)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. his intention when first he started, and it has ever since been such, and his twenty-six years of experience as a scientist, inventor, and manufacturer, have placed him in a position which may well be the envy of many. : Intending purchasers, or for that matter anyone interested, are always sure to get a welcome at his show rooms and slide gallery, and when they have seen all that is there to be seen, and examined some of the-scientific adjuncts introduced they will probably be surprised to see the high status to which the Jantern has risen. The portrait of our sketch would almost suggest that he were a man of about forty years of age, instead of the fifty-three years which have passed over his head, but then Mr. Hughes is in spirits quite a young man, and doubtless his general good nature has much to do with his affable and contented look, and altogether he is certainly a versatile all-round man. We find that nearly twenty patents have been granted him for improvements which were much appreciated, but unfortunately the introduction of the cheap commercial apparatus has to a certain extent spoiled the taste of the masses, but among those who may be classed among his clitntele are Madame Patti, who has a magnificent outfit in her theatre, Craig Castle, Professor Malden, the late Marajah of Mysore, Captain Selwyn, Mr. Saul Carpenter, Captain Chas. Reade, R.N., Canon Scott, The Royal Polytechnic, etc. Lantern Tilting Arrangements. By GEORGE KILBURN. WING to the structural arrangement of nearly all our public halls and institutions in which lanternists have to operate, many makeshifts and dodges are resorted to for the purpose of projecting the pictures on to the proper part of the sheet. In most places the lantern has to be fixed much below the centre of screen, and if the lantern or lantern box is not fitted with a tilting arrangement, then the tact of the lanternist is put to the test, as to how he can best accomplish what is required, under the circumstances, to elevate his lantern so as to project the pictures on to the right place on the screen. Some of the lanterns now on the market are so fitted that the pictures can easily be projected to almost any part of aroom. My lantern being 25 one of those without any fittings for raising the lantern, I decided on adding a simple device of my own, to enable the lantern to be raised easily and quickly, and at a small cost. The only accessories needed are four milled screws with plug-nuts, two slotted struts (3), and two slotted plates (2) as shown in drawing. The screws with plugs cost 4d. each, if not larger than 3 inch diameter, the struts from 10d. per pair, and slotted plates 4d. per pair. Having procured the fittings mentioned, fit two of the plug-nuts in the front part of the baseboard of the lantern, as shown, one on either side. Next, fix lantern on top of box, and cut two slots for struts to go through a little in advance of the screws in baseboard, fit in the slotted plates, which will prevent the holes from wearing too large. Then fix two plug-nuts inside of box to hold the struts at whatever height they are required. If the box is wider than the lantern, screw on a block of wood at each side to hold the plug-nuts and screws. If the lantern is fitted with a plate on front of baseboard to prevent it from slipping, it can be taken off and put on the back part. To use this arrangement, push up the slotted struts, and clamp them to baseboard, then tilt the lantern as high as is necessary, and tighten screws inside box (1). After use, loosen all the screws, when the struts will drop inside of box out of the way, which is much better than having any projections outside of box when carrying from place to place. A tilting device like this is much better than using wedges of wood, or hunting up any old books with which to. prop up the lantern, and is far safer and more expeditious.