The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (November 1900)

138 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. Acetylene Explosion.—An explosion of acetylene gas occurred at Lyons on the 11th ult. The building was shattered, and several occupants had to be taken out through the windows. As we have often stated, acetylene explosions are invariably the result of carelessness. me ~*~ ~ Waterproof Lantern Screen Bag.—A correspondent writes:—‘‘I use an opaque screen wound on a roller, and for the purpose of keeping it clean and dry when going about the country, I had been in the habit of putting it in a long narrow box. Finding this meant considerable extra weight, I now use a cloth bag open at the end; this, of course, I have waterproofed. For the benefit of those who wish to do likewise, they may be interested to know that the cloth can be rendered waterproof as follows:—Take say half an ounce each of powdered alum and sugar of lead and dissolve them in a gallon of rain water. When dissolved pour off the clear liquid on top and soak the cloth for about 30 hours, then hang up to dry.” bead hood ae Limelight Slander.—A curious case is to be heard shortly on the Continent, a heavy claim | being laid for damages. A lady and gentleman were out walking, and taking a seat in a rustic part embraced each cther. From a neighbouring house, where many friends were assembled, a beam of limelight was suddenly turned upon the couple aforementioned. ‘The following day, owing to the scandal created, the gentleman . was discharged from his situation. Hence the cause of the wielder of the limelight being sued for damages for scandal. bead ee ~ Tinted Glasses.— The effect of many projected photographs can be considerably heightened by using a judicious selection of tinted glasses when. exhibiting the lantern. Thus a slight pink for sunlight effects, and a bluish tint for snow views or other photographs to give an evening effect. The glasses can be used either as cover glasses, bound up with the slide, or inserted near the slide or the lens. ~ ee ee Lights fram Venus’s Rays.—\ New York astronomer has succeeded in taking a photograph by means of the rays of Venus. He selected the darkest hour of the night after the planet had risen, and carefully excluded all light except that which came from this single star through the open shutter of the observatory dome. Ue found the light much stronger than he had anticipated, and will continue his experiments with other planets of less brilliancy. Biographo Religioso.— The following occurs in the advertisement of an Australian biograph showman :—‘‘ It is the expressed wish of His Holiness that those who sce His Benediction in the moving pictures of the biograph and receive it in proper spirit should participate in the happiness, in the glory, and in the advantages of it as if it was bestowed upon them personally.” ~ ~ bead Fake Cinematograph Pictures. — This‘ winter fake cinematograph pictures will probably become very popular. Almost any impossible feats can be seen by the use of fake films, but in arranging, cutting up, and rejoining the negatives a tremendous amount of labour and skill is involved. A particularly good sub | ject is one in which a man enters with a cornet in one hand and a chair in the other. He stands behind the chair, and by the act of waving his right hand causes several chairs to range themselves towards that side; whilst a similar movement of the left arm causes others to appear on the left hand. The man with the cornet then sits down on the end chair, but immediately rises up and sits on the next chair, and so on throughout the line of chairs. Strange to say, he leaves ‘‘his double” on each chair. Here we have some eight or ten musicians, who stand up together and play on their cornets. After a time they sit down, and commencing at the end chairs the performer gets up and sits on the knee of his next neighbour, with whom he immediately becomes merged. This is continued until the centre chair contains the consolidated man with a row of empty chairs at either side. Finally, he stands up and waves the odd chairs away, and walks off the stage with his own. te a Sanitary Institute Slides.—The Sanitary Institute has collected a large number of sets ; of lantern slides relating to sanitary arrange ments and appliances, which can be lent to members and associates for lecture purposes. A list containing over 500 subjects is available. ee oad oe War Photographs.—Earl De La Warr, who went to South Africa as special war correspondent of the Globe, and afterwards received a commission as Captain in Bethune’s Mounted Infantry, is publishing in book form about 250 photographs taken by himself,.and which include many exciting incidents and pathetic scenes of the war. The work is now in the hands of the Bexhill Publishing and Printing Company, and will be ready shortly.