The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (September 1897)

156 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. knew practically nothing of the oxy-hydrogen light or public exhibitions; but in one month I instructed him in all the mystery of oxygen making, getting up the lights, working effects, and registering slides. At this time I was lecturing (and had been for some years) at the Royal Polytechnic. My first triple had just come home—not ‘‘ suggested’ by me, but made from my own “working drawings by J. H. Steward, and duly registered as the “ Malden Trinopticon.” With this instrument to practice upon, Mr. Locke goon became a smart manipulator. With regard to the effects and mechanical contrivances exhibited by me, ‘‘ cmanating " from him, this I most emphatically deny. With the exception of the trains running into and out of Cannon Street, all the effects mentioned were invented and designed by me, and from my drawings and instructions worked out by him in aclever way. I grant if he had not been a good mechanician, I should not have retained him so many years. Thanking you in anticipation for inserting this letter, I am, dear Sir, Yours very truly, ‘« Tremere,” B. J. MALDEN, Alexandra Road, Finsbury Park. August 11th, 1897. ACETYLENE GAS REGULATIONS RELAXED, To the Editor. S1r,—Many of your readers will be glad to hear that the stringent regulations issued by the Home Office and London County Council last April have at last been modified, and that now as much as 5 lbs. of calcium carbide can be kept on any premises without a licence, provided that it is stored in tins containing not more than 1]b. each. The fire insurance companies will now allow 4 lbs. of calcium carbide and a portable generator on insured buildings, so that the lanternist and photographer can therefore once more breathe freely, and judging by laet year's results there is no doubt that lanternists and dealers should look out for good patterns of acetylene generators before the season is upon us. Take care that the generator you order does not store the gas at a greater pressure than 1 or 2 ounces to the square inch, as that is sufficient for lighting with acetylene on any scale. A safety valve should also be fitted, also a cooling and condensing chamber, and some arrangement for expelling all air from the gas receiver so as to avoid any explosive mixture at starting; above all, an expandable gas holder is necessary. The best gcnerators are those on the automatic principle. Yours truly, CHAS. HINE. 20: % VD Cr_ 9 BOVYD Ov Detes and Queries. i ea Notts.—You will find it a difficult matter to obtain a superior light by means of oil than the lamp you poseess. Next in turn will come acetylene gas. You speak of being nervous of using the limelight, but there is no necessity for this ; just make a commencement and you ‘ will be surprised at the ease of working. Get a small cylinder of oxygen and a blow-through jet, attach the hydrogen side to the house gas supply and spend half an hour with the jet on a table before putting it in the lantern, and all your fears will vanish. If you have no house gas laid on, then get a cylinder of same as well, and a mixed jet; there is no danger, light the hydrogen side and gradually turn on the oxygen, try various adjustments of pressure, and you will soon feel at home with it. We know nothing more of the gas mentioned than what appeared in this journal. You would find it exceedingly expensive to generate the electricity as it is used. PR asks how to make sensitised albumenised paper keep, as he cannot make it keep good more than a few hours. Ans.—Start in the usual way with a 60 grain silver bath and float for two or three minutes, then draw the paper over a glass rod to remove excess of solution—the bath can be worked down to about 45 grains to the ounce before strengthening. Now for the keeping part—make a solution of washing soda, 2 or 3 ounces to 1 pint of water, and into this dip sheets of white blotting paper; these must be allowed to become quite dry. When the sensitised paper is merely surface dry and just commencing to curl, each-sheet is placed between two shesats of the soda paper, which should be a little larger than the sheet of albumen paper. -Pile-all up in this manner and place a weight on top to keep in contact. Horne and Thoddle.—We have already one letter on the subject, and even previous to receiving this had the information in type.—Thanks. Geo. Cook.—The writer of the article in question is away for a fortnight, but on his return your letter will be forwarded to him. Time.—(1) The white paper can be obtained at any large dealers in wall-paper. (2) Fleet Street, London, K.C., is quite sufficient to find the firm you enquire about. (3) Mr. A. R. Schutz, 21, Ann Street, Worthing. Albert Lawson.—To repair a bag in the condition you speak of is no easy matter, but you might try rubbing in some rubber solution when it is distended as much as possible, this will leave it in a very sticky condition, but the application of french chalk in powder will obviate this. Seeker after knowledge asks :—What is compound oxygen which is greatly advertised in America? 4Ans.—We understand it to be a trade name for some medicine for the cure of catarrh, asthma, consumption, and bronchitis, but know nothing further of it, but you can rest assured it is nothing new for the use of lanternists, unless it be from a medical point of view. A. B, C.—(1) The style you suggest for a screen will answer, but in next ANNUAL you will find a still better suggestion by Mr. Sprange. (2) This also will be given, with illustrations, in our ANNUAL. (3) From Avery and Co., of Great Portland Street, London, W. They make a speciality of blinds and such like. (4) Methylated ether. (5) Yes, if the saturator is properly constructed. Geo. Hilyer.—Dalton Manufacturing Co., 12, Norfolk Street, Ardwick, Manchester. : Paddy Flynn writes :—(1) Having seen in a paper that ‘Castor oil added to illuminating oil wonderfully increases the brilliancy of the flame" could any reader kindly give proportions for same, and if it would be suitable for magic lantern work. (2) Inform me if opaque lantern screens have very great advantages over the ordinary calico screens, if so, could a handy man make one, and how is it done? Ans.—(1) If any of our readers have had any experience. with this, will they kindly supply the information. (2) Yes, see this journal for September, 1896, page 138.