/ THE 
 
 CANADIAN ELECTRIC LIGHT 
 
 o o 3^ r> .A. 3snr 
 
 AND 
 
 The Future of Electric Lighting 
 
 IN 
 
 CANADA. 
 
 GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY 
 
 "1S83. 
 
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 THE 
 
 CANADIAN ELECTRIC LIGHT 
 
 c o is^ ip -A. ]snr 
 
 AND 
 
 The Future of Electric Liohting; 
 
 IN 
 
 
 CANADA. 
 
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 iWontvcal: 
 
 GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY 
 
 1882. 
 
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THE MSXIM INCINDESCENT LIGHT RECULATOK. 
 
 53075 
 
-/ 
 
THE MAXIM INCANDESCENT LAMP. 
 
THE 
 
 ELECTRIC Light illumination 
 
 UPON THE SYSTL j KNOWN AS 
 
 Gramme, "^AT^e&ton, Maxim, Nichols, Etc. 
 
 Under Proprietary Rights for the Dominion of Canada, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CANADIAN ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. 
 
 No. 17 PLACE D'ARMES, MONTREAL. 
 
 GOLD MEDAL awarded to the Maxim System at the Electrical Exhibition 
 held in Paris, September 1881, 
 
 AND 
 
 GOLD MEDAL awarded to the different Systems exhibited by the Canadian 
 Electric Light Co. at the last Exhibition held in Montreal, September 1881. 
 
 The Canadian Electric Light Company has acquired the 
 latest and the most complete patent rights bearing upon the sub- 
 ject of illumination by electricity. These proprietary rights 
 extend ev'en to discoveries that may be made in the future, and 
 which shall come under the control of the great Electric Light 
 Company of the United States, doing business in New-York, and 
 which has a vast amount of capital at its disposal. 
 
 The production of electricity has now become simply an indus- 
 trial problem ; it is more easily controlled and regulated than 
 steam. Thanks to the new machines, it is no longer dependent 
 upon the glass friction-wheel, the zinc-and-copper battery, or the 
 Voltaic pile soeti in laboratories. A simple iron drum with a 
 copper wire coil, turning cylinder-like between (but without 
 touching) two blocks of iron which are also covered with coils of 
 copper wire — such is the complete mechanism. There is no fric- 
 tion even ; it is simply a matter of vibration; and if this drum 
 be made to vibrate during the whole year, it will produce electri- 
 city all the year round without the least interruption. No ingre- 
 
2 
 
 dient enters into the production of the mysterious current, which, 
 from this very cause, is iuoxhaustible and unlimited. To set the 
 machine .i^oing, all that is required is a motive power. 
 
 The above is a brief exphination in popuhir hui^uage of the 
 generator known as the dynamo-cloetric machine, which is 
 capable of producing currents of liie greatest power; in fact, so 
 intense is the current produced by one of these machines above, 
 when driven by a steam engine of tifty horse j)Ower, that it will 
 give a light eijual in brilliancy to a hundred thousand candles. 
 
 lender conditions such as these, it may be said without fear of 
 contradiction that electricity lias now entered into the tield of 
 industry, since the production of the current is, henceforth, de- 
 pendent upon a mere mechanical eti'ect. The instrument, once 
 adjusted, requires no attention; and any mechanic of ordinary 
 intelligence may draw at will light oi- motive power from this 
 machine with the same facility as he draws light or power from 
 his furnace. Nor is this apparatus liable to work capriciously, 
 because it is simplicity itself The bearings supporting the shaft 
 of the revolving drum arc the only friction points ; this gives an 
 absolute assurance of the stability of the current. 
 
 It is not intended to give in these notes a full account of the 
 various industrial uses to which this machine may be put ; we 
 would call attention, however, to the vast interests in the utili- 
 zation of our natural water-powers. The transmission of the 
 hydraulic powor by means of electricity is a problem which has 
 received a full solution. In causing a drum or bobbin to revolve 
 between two magnets, as explained above, an electric current is 
 pnxluced ; but if a current is sent from another place to a machine 
 which is at re.st, the drum or bobbin of this machine will imme- 
 diately begin to revolve with a force proportioned to the intensify 
 of the current. Now, if, to the shaft, or axle of this bobbin a 
 pulley bo attached, on which a bolt may be adjusted, this pulley 
 will answer all the purposes of a main shaft, or drum, revolving by 
 steam powei", by communicating the motion to the machinery of 
 the work-shop. A motivc-]»ower may be obtained front one of 
 these machines alone of from one to twenty-five horses, by in- 
 creasing the number of machines, which cover a surface of about 
 two square feet each, you can have any amount of power ; and 
 this power will be as constant, as powerful, and as useful as a 
 steam-power itself. 
 
3 
 
 The importance of this transformation of electricity into mo- 
 tive-power is very apparent as regards great centres. Imagine 
 a water-power of any kind at a few miles distant from a city ; 
 it is possible, by means of a simple wire, to transmit from an elec- 
 trical engine-room, situated at the water-power, to a thousand 
 work-shops in the city all the motive-power which they may 
 require. The loss of power which occurs in such transmission has 
 even been ascertained. 
 
 It is fount! that if a machine receives an impulsion equal to 
 fifty horse-power, at the ;irtiug point, only a power of twenty- 
 five horses will be transmitted to the point of delivery ; thus, if 
 the water-power be of 40,000 horses, a motive-fiower of 20,000 
 horses may be distributed over a few copper wires to all parts of the 
 city, according to the requirements of each consumer. Engines and 
 boilers are dispensed with ; and neither coal nor water is required 
 to make steam ; no engine-driver nor stoker is wanted ; no extra 
 insurance against fire ; no costly moving into the premises and 
 fitting up ; no \ asto of valuable space. An apparatus two feet 
 square, and weighing three hundred pounds or less, ])laced in a 
 corner of the factory, in a cellar, or in a garret, will answer to 
 every requirement of a motive-power; and after deducting the 
 geneial expense of a dam, and the first outlay, this motive-power 
 of 20,000 horses will cost no more than the millions of gallons of 
 water which run and are lost in the river. 
 
 As to the electric light, the problem has been solved quite as 
 advantageously to the consumer. Without going into details, we 
 shall offer an explanation of the two systems already in existence. 
 
 THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. 
 
 All the different kinds of apparatus by electric energy trans- 
 formed into light may be ari-anged into two leading classes, namely; 
 
 Ist. The Voltaic arc, or great light. 
 
 2nd. The incandescent or divided light, for use in the interior 
 of houses. 
 
 This general classification nevertheless admits of some systems 
 which may properly be classed between the Voltaic arc and the 
 incandescent light, as they are related to each of these. 
 
 THE VOLTAIC LIGHT. 
 
 The apparatus lo produce the Voltaic arc are of two kinde, 
 namely : ,. ^ • ■_ _ 
 
iBt. Carbons placed in prolongation one over the other ; these are 
 the lamps or requlators. 
 
 2nd. Carbons placed y)ara/te/ to each other ; these are the candles. 
 Candles such as Jablockoff' s arc not much in fashion. 
 
 The name of rerfukitor is jjjiven to all systems employing more 
 or less complicated mechanism to keep the carbon points apart 
 at their normal distance from each other. A distinction might be 
 drawn between regulators fed by continuous currents and those 
 fed by alternating currents ; this, however, is relatively a secondary 
 feature, and it is better to look to the light itself to establish subdi- 
 visions. An important characteristic, which establishes a well 
 marked division, is the number of lights fed by one machine on the 
 same circuit. 
 
 The following are distinguished, namely : 
 
 (a.) Voltaic arc monophoiic regulators, that is to say, those 
 which admit of only one apparatus being placed on the circnit. 
 
 (b.) polypkotic regulators, or, as they are often called, dividing 
 regulators, with which 2. 3, 4 and even 50 lights may be placed 
 on the same circuit. It may be observed in passing that a divid- 
 ing regulator may be used an a raonophotic regulator, by placing 
 one light on a cii'cuit of appropriate power, but that a mono- 
 photic regulator cannot be used reciprocally. These work poorly, 
 or not at all, when several are placed on the same circuit. 
 
 The light of the Voltaic arc is best adapted for exterior illumi- 
 nation, because the rays of the electric lamp are identical with 
 those of the sun. A solar ray, falling ujion a given space, is equi- 
 valent to 5,T74 candles at the distance of one toot ; an electric 
 lamp emits precisely one half of this light ; and it is a singular fact 
 that the electricians of Europe have applied the electric light with 
 the greatest success to promote vegetation during the night. The 
 celebrated Dr. Siemens, a relative to the firm of that name who 
 manufacture all the Transatlantic cables and l)y whom an electric 
 railway has just been tipened near Berlin, has demonstrated the 
 fact that plants and fruit exposed to the action of the electric light 
 continuously during the night arrive at maturity sooner. The 
 electric light haw the same effect as the sun in promoting the decom- 
 position of carbonic acid in vegetables and in arresting the inju- 
 rious effect on the plant of radiation from the earth during the 
 uight. 
 
THE INCANDESCENT LIGHT. 
 
 The incandescent light, invented quite recently', is of far 
 greater importance than the light of the Voltaic arc, and is des- 
 tined to play an important part in the interior illumination of 
 houses. From the moment that it is found possible to divide the 
 electric current at will the matter no longer offers any great 
 difficulty. The leading inventors of this system, Maxim and 
 Edison, have kept lights constantly burning at New York for six 
 months past which have not failed one minute during all that 
 time. The light has been tried at Montreal, particularly at the 
 St. Lawrence Hall with the same satisfactor}' results. This system 
 of illumination is very simple. Electricity, as every body knows, 
 follows a conducting wire ; if the currents meets on the way a 
 body less accommodating than the copper wire, a struggle imme- 
 diately ensues. If this botly is not a conductor of electricity at 
 all, the current is beaten and its career is ended; but if this bod}* 
 is merely an imperfect conductor, one through which the current 
 can pass with some difficulty, heat results from the struggle and 
 the obstructing body is set on fire. In the open atmosphere, the 
 struggle would be over in half a second, and the resisting 
 metal or body would be melted or consumed almost immediately ; 
 by confining the warring elements within a hermeticallj' sealed 
 glass globe however, about the size of a pear, and from which the 
 air has been exti-acted, the inconvenience that would lesult from 
 the destruction of the resisting is avoided. The resisting body 
 which the current has to encounter in the globe is a small piece 
 of card, reduced to carbon and cut and bent in the form of an M 
 with rounded angles. It is, of course, within the globe that the 
 struggle takes place. The piece of card, a bad conductor of elec- 
 tricity, takes fire, and remains in an incandescent state as long as 
 the current passes through it; it may be a whole night, a whole 
 week, or during thiee months if the generator is kept in motion 
 80 long, because the combustion of the card cannot take place in 
 a vacuum. This incandescence produces a soft, golden light, 
 exactlj^ similar to a gas jet ; it is neither stronger nor weaker than 
 gas, but it possesses three advantages over gas. 1st. It is perfectly 
 steady, differing in this respect fi-om gas, which flickers continu- 
 ally. 2nd. As it burns in a vacuum, it does not consume, like gas, 
 the oxygen we breathe, nor does it give off the carbonic acid which 
 is- injurious to silver- ware, gilding and oil paintings. Nor does it 
 heat the atmosphere. 3i*d. Lastly it cannot set tire to the pre- 
 
mises, nor cause suffocation, because, if the globe should break 
 the light would be extinguished instantly' on the first fissure 
 appearing in the glass. This sj'stem is now working perfectly ; in- 
 geniously constructed apparatus provide for everything, and the 
 lights maj' be distributed throughout the house in the same manner 
 as gas lights and may bo lighted and extinguished at pleasure. 
 When a hundred lights are burning, it is possible to extinguish 
 ninety-nine without thereby increasing the current that is being 
 transmitted to the only remaining light ; and all the lights in the 
 house or only a portion of them, may be lighted at pleasure by 
 simply turning a key in one place. 
 
 But, it will be asked. What about the cost ? The following 
 data may serve as a basis for more complete estimates : If electri- 
 city is supplied by water-power, the cost is almost nil, as, in 
 that case, it is in reality the motion of the water in the river that 
 is being changed into light, Avhich maj' be kept burning night 
 and day without making any one poorer, as no material is con- 
 sumed. If steam-power is required, the estimate may be based 
 on the fact that one hoi-se of steam-power will su))ply eight house 
 lights. With a steam-engine having the recent improvements 
 two pounds of coal per hour are consumed for each horse-power, 
 or J of a pound of coal to each light. A light kept burning six 
 hours eveiy day during the whole 3'ear, will require 547 pounds 
 of coal, or about 80 cents worth. A gas jet consuming six feet 
 per hour will, in the same space of time, require 13,140 feet of gas, 
 to produce which 2943 pounds of coal will be necessary or $4.50, 
 one ton of coal being used in the manufacture of 10,000 feet of gas. 
 Allowing 70 per cent, for the '-esale of coke, breeze, coal tar and 
 ammonia, there is an amouut left of $1.35 against 80 cents as the 
 comparative cost of production. This is about the cost price. 
 But if we consider the figures charged to consumers, $2.00 per 
 1000 feet, we find that the margin between 80 cents, cost price 
 of the electric light and $2(5.00 amount of gas bill, is about $25.00 
 to cover all the incidental and administrative expenses. 
 
 The systems of illumination by incandescence are far less nume- 
 rous than those dependent upon the Voltaic arc ; consequently 
 their classification is not so complex. The incandescent systems 
 are divided into two classes, namely : 
 
 Ist. Incandescent lamps with combustion. 
 
 2nd. Lamps purely incandescent. 
 
 The class of incafuieseent lamps with combustion is represented by 
 
the apparatus invcnlod by Eeynier, Werderman (Napoii patentee,) 
 Joel and Tomraasi. All these lumps are constructed with a carbon 
 point resting lightly upon a block of carbon or of metal and thus 
 producing an imperfect contact. 
 
 The purely incanilescent lamp is repi-esented by four ditferent 
 systems, that of Edison, Maxim, Swan, and Lane Fox. All these 
 lamps are of incandescent carbon. 
 
 The nature of the current is almost a matter of indifterence in 
 the case of incandescent lamps ; they operate with either a con- 
 tinuous or alternating current. Incandescent lamps with combus- 
 tion require a large volume of the current and are worked with 
 tension ; while purely incandescent lamps require a small volume 
 and are worked generally with quantity. 
 
 SCIENTIFIC OPINIONS. 
 
 The following opinions upon the systems of Maxim and Weston 
 are taken from the highest authorities in matters of electrical 
 science : 
 
 THE MAXIM LIGHT, 
 
 AS PRODUCED BY THE UNITED STATES ELECTBrC LIOHTING COMPANY. 
 {From the New York Oraphie,May 5th, 1881.) 
 
 The rapid advance made in the application of the electric force 
 to the uses of common life is one of the mai-vels of the age. Inge- 
 nious inventors and keen-witted discoverers in all parts of the 
 civilized world have bent their energies to the task of wrestling 
 from Nature the .secrets she has held. Repeated experiment, 
 repeated failure, and tinal success mark the pi-ogress of the inves- 
 tigation Rivalries have but stimulated invention ; one scientist has 
 trodden close upon another's heels, one company of capitalists has 
 gone a step further than its competitor in developing newly-found 
 resources, and the general public is the gainer by all that has been 
 produced. From the Atlantic Cable of 1858 to the electric light 
 of 1881 is a long stretch, representing incessant labor, high 
 ambitions, manifold applications of scientific skill, wonderful 
 displays of profound learning. What the next quarter of a century 
 will produce may reasonably be inferred from what has already 
 been accomplished. 
 
 Readers of current literature are aware, not only of the progress 
 of discovery in reference of the application of the electric light to 
 
8 
 
 practical uses, but are cognizant of the respective claims put forth 
 by rival inventors, some of whom have promised, honestly enough, , 
 but mistakenly, to do more than they could perform, being, so to 
 speak, the victims of circumstances beyond their control. Others, 
 achieving partial success, have won reputation and profit. From 
 time to time our newspapers and magazines have described the 
 newest efforts, and the appetite of the public has been whetthed 
 accordingly but ha.s never until now been wholl}' satisfied, and for 
 a very sufficient reason. For, although great stoi-es and ware- 
 houses have beeti brilliantly lighted up by electric light, streets 
 illuminated and steamships equipped with machines whose rays 
 can pierce dense fogs, two problems have been left unsolved until 
 now. One of these problems was the discovery of the best 
 method of controlling and regulating — the light, the other was 
 the question of cost — a consideration to householders, especially, 
 who suffer under the exactions and impositions of the gas com- 
 panies. Both of these problems are now satisfactorily solved. 
 
 The Maxim light, which is illustrated in this issue of The 
 Graphic, is found, by a long series of severe tests, to contain 
 several invaluable qualities not possessed by any other electric light 
 in existence. It is produced at a cost much less than gas, and gives 
 more than twice the light that gas furnishes ; it creates no appre- 
 ciable heat ; it is adjustable by the ordinary gas stop cock ; its 
 carbon burner, instead of wearing out speedily, repairs itself and 
 lasts for many months, and its flame is pure and steady. The 
 United States Electric Light Company, of which Mr. Charles R. 
 Flint is President, holds the Maxim patent, and Mr. Maxim is 
 himself one of the consulting electricians of the Company, among 
 whose advisers are also professor Mortor., Professor Baker, of 
 Philadelphia ; Pi-ofessor Moses G. Farmer, of the United States 
 Torpedo Service, and other distinguished scientists. The com- 
 pany owns altogether about one hundred patents, and business is 
 flowing in upon it in a steady stream, necessitating the erection 
 of a new factor}', which is now in process of construction on 
 Avenue B and Seventeenth street. 
 
 OXm IliliUSTRATIONS : 
 
 show two interiors illuminated by this light. One of the views 
 represents the elegant drug store of Caswell, Hazard & Co., under 
 the Fifth Avenue Hotel, as viewed from outside, showing the con- 
 venient arrangement and the extreme brilliancy of the electric 
 
9 
 
 lights, the other is a view of the art gallery of the Union League 
 Club on Fifth avenue, into which these lights were introduced 
 last week, with singularly beautiful effects, A representation of 
 the lamp used for this light is also given. 
 
 The peculiar advantages of the United States electric light 
 are: (1) its perfect steadiness ; (2) its brilliancy — each lamp 
 giving a light of twenty-four candle power ; (3) its cheapness as 
 compared either with gas or other electric lights ; (4) its adapta- 
 bility for household and private use; and (5) the absence of heat. 
 The company has not sought newspaper publicity, preferring to 
 perfect its process and to make the light it furnishes satisfac- 
 tory to its customers by constant improvement and watchfulness ; 
 but now, satisfied that the desired result has been attained, it 
 challenges the attention of the public, and defines its future pur- 
 poses in the following statement by its President, Mj\ Flint, which 
 we copy from the Evening Post of Saturday last. 
 
 " Six months ago we bought the six story building at Seven- 
 teenth street and Avenue B, and immediately ordered an immense 
 quantity of machinery. Owing to the revival of manufactures all 
 machinits have been fur behind their orders for the last year, and 
 we are only now getting what we ordered. The boiler and some 
 of the engines are in, bes'des the shafting and belting throughout 
 the whole building. In six weeks we expect to have our machi- 
 nery in, and at least one thousand men at work turning out dj-na- 
 mos, lamps and motors. 
 
 " At present we have three factories actively at work supply- 
 ing such material as we need in order to extend our business at a 
 slow rate — say of one machine a day. In twenty-fifth street we 
 have a small shop, in Twenty-seventh street another, and on Sixth 
 avenue one that has been running for a year and a half. The 
 building on Sixth avenue is six stories high and will probably be 
 the station for one of our up-town districts. We ai-e already light- 
 ing from it several shops, Caswell & Hazard's drug store, the card 
 rooms of the Union Club, and some of the appartments in the 
 Cumberland building, at Twenty-second street and Broadway. 
 The Union Club members are so well pleased with the light in 
 their card rooms that we expect to put electric lights all over 
 the building, The Evening Post spoke of the success of the lights 
 at the Union League Club reception ; not an hour's trial was 
 necessary to demonstrate their superiority to gas. In the same 
 way we use a part of the basement of the Equitable building as a 
 
10 
 
 miniature station in order to furnish light to the Equitable build- 
 ing and such oflSces in the neighborhood as may desire the light. 
 For more than a year we have lighted the Post-oflfice atone-thinl 
 of the cost of gas, and for the last six months parts of the Equitable 
 building, the banking offices of Fisk & Hatch, JIatch& Foote, and 
 two banks have been lighted up by our lamps. Last week we put 
 the light into the new vault of the Stock Exchange; tomorrow 
 the Maritime Exchange in Beaver street and the offices of W. T. 
 Hatch will be lighted with them ; on Saturday the offices of Phleps 
 & Stokes and W. E. Grace will be added to the list. But the real 
 beginning will be made w^hen we get our Seventeenth street 
 building going and organize a down-town station. 
 
 " At first we do not intend to charge less for our light than the 
 price of gas. The competition will cause the gas companies to 
 lower their prices, and then we shall follow them down, and end by 
 making prices Imcer than they can manufacture gas for. Within a 
 year gas will be worth no more than $1 per 1,000 feet; our stand- 
 ing offer to every householder will be to give electric light at the 
 same price as he has been paying for gas. As the light is pleas- 
 anter, steadier, healthier and safer than gas, and there being 
 absolutely no danger from fire, we expect the public to take our light 
 in preference to gas at the same or even a slighly lower price. In 
 three months we expect to be able to make that otter to every 
 person needing light. Each house or office will be supplied with 
 a certain number of extra lamps, so that if one of those in use 
 gives out a new one can be put on with no more trouble than 
 replacing the chimney of an oil lamp. We find that the incan- 
 descent lamp will be used entirely in the interior of buildings, the 
 arc being too strong and too unsteady ; it gives an immense 
 quantity of light, and is just suited to the street, but quality is 
 what is wanted for houses.'' 
 
 The light of the future seems at last to have been secured after 
 much travail and tribulation. The success which has attended 
 the efforts of the skilful electricians and the enterprising capi- 
 talists whose services have for a long time been unremittingly 
 but quietly devoted to the interest of the United States Company, 
 proves beyond question that the desideratum of getting a brilliant 
 electi'ic light at a price less than that of gas, and better adapted 
 for household use than gas, has been attained. A new era begins 
 with the introduction of the light to which The Graphic to-day 
 invites the attention of its readers. It is to be remembered, more- 
 
11 
 
 over, that this is no untried experiment. On the contrary, the 
 Maxim light is in constant and satisfactory operation at the fol- 
 lowing named places among others : 
 
 Caswell, Hazard & Co.'s drug store, Fifth Avenue Hotel. 
 
 Union League Club Art gallery, Fifth Avenue and Thirty-ninth 
 street. 
 
 Union Club, Fifth Avenue and Twenty-second street. 
 
 Equitable Building, No. 120 Broadway. 
 
 Mercantile Tru.st Company, No. 120 Broadway. 
 
 New York Stock Exchange. 
 
 New York Post OflSce. 
 
 The Tribune Building. 
 
 Fisk & Hatch's banking house. 
 
 Hatch & Foote's banking house. 
 
 The Maritime Exchange. 
 
 (Cumberland Building, Broadway and Twenty-.second Street. 
 
 THE MAXIM ELECTRIC LIGHT. 
 
 {From the Lmdon Times, May ^\st, 1881.) 
 
 Among a few ^j-stems of electric lighting which have occasion- 
 ally been heard of, but which hitherto have not been seen in this 
 country, is that of Mr. Maxim, of the United States, in which 
 country the light is stated to be in considerable use and in good 
 repute. A successul demonstration of this system took place on 
 Friday evening last in the presence of a number of scientific gen- 
 tlemen who assembled in the Albany Works, 374, Euston-road, 
 London. It is an incandescent sj-stem, and comprises a generator, 
 a regulator, and a burn'^r or lamp. The prime generator is a 
 small dynamo-electro machine which is driven at about 200 revo- 
 lutions per minute. In this machine a current of electricity is 
 generated, which is conducted to a second machine of similar 
 construction, but of larger size. The current from the first 
 machine is caused to circulate in the electro-magnets of the 
 second, thus exciting the magnetic field of the latter. The .small 
 m.tchine, or exciter, is provided with an ingenious device for con- 
 trolling the supply of electricity and regulating the current, in 
 order to meet the requirements of the number of lights burning, 
 which may be constantly varied, without either detriment to the 
 machine or alteration in the other lights. This is called the Maxim 
 
12 
 
 regulator, and consists of an arrangement of electro-magnets. 
 The brushes collecting the current generated by the exciter, 
 together with the brush holders, are made to move around the 
 axis of the machine, and are automatically set to any position 
 between the ma.r.imum and the neutral points. Two pairs of elec- 
 tro-magnets at the top receive a proportion of the current of the 
 large and small machines respectively, one pair operating the 
 regulating movement and the other a shunt. 
 
 The regulator is operated by means of an armature attracted 
 with forces varying according to the number of lights in circuit. 
 When the supply of current becomes insufficient bj' reason of 
 additional lamps being lighted, the armature being released in 
 one direction and attracted in the other, by means of a .spring, a 
 pawl, which is suspended from this armature causes the brush 
 holders to revolve, !/n intei'mediary system of gearing being 
 brought into play, thus supplying a greater volume of current. 
 When the current becomes too great in consequence of the removal 
 of some of the lamps from the circuit, the opposite phenomenon 
 occurs. The electro-magnets forming the second pair are so con- 
 structed and adjusted that they only act upon their armature 
 when a large increase of the current passing through them takes 
 place, such as would happen if a main wire were broken, or if 
 any other accident occurred. In such an event this armature is 
 strongly attracted, and overcoming the tension of the spring 
 brings it free and in contact with a platinum point, thereby cut- 
 ting the field magnets of the exciting machine out of the circuit 
 and stopping the generation of the current until the accident is 
 remedied. There is thus a complete safeguard against injury to 
 either the machine or the lamj)s. The large machine consits of 
 two distinct parts built into one on the same frame and spindle. 
 They are coupled together, and an ingenious and simple contri- 
 vance is provided at the top of the machine by means of which 
 the currents supplied by each of the two machines can instantly 
 be disconnected or coupled either in quantity or tension as required. 
 This machine is driven at a speed of about 900 revolutions per 
 minute. It is claimed that this machine will maintain 85 Maxim 
 lights of 25 candle-powei- each, making an aggregate light of 
 2,125 candles. The machine is said to be capable of giving a 
 single arc light of 20,000 candle power. A second machine of the 
 same power as the one just described was also used, and was 
 driven at the same speed. 
 
13 
 
 These machines supplied the current which fed 120 lamps placed 
 in various rooms from the basement to the 8th floor of the build- 
 ing, and including the passages and staircases. The lamps are 
 arranged in multiple circuit, each burner being independent of 
 the other. The current is conveyed through a main leading wire 
 with its branches, Nul>branches, and lamp wires to the burnei-s. 
 All these wires arc arranged similarly to the ordinary gas main 
 and branch pipes. The gas fittings, when available, are used as a 
 return wire ; any other pipes, however, such as water pipes, can 
 be used for this purpose. The burner consists of a carbon fila- 
 ment made from cardlx>ard, and having the form of a double loop. 
 It is contained in a small hermetically-scaled glass globe or bulb, 
 in which, it is stated, there is un atmosphere of gasoline, which 
 prevents the deterioration of the carbon tilament. By this means 
 a kind of renovating process is said to be constantly taking place. 
 The two ends of the Hlamcnts are connected with the twt) poles of 
 machines, and the light is, the tap actuating a switch arrange- 
 ment. The life of the lamp has not yet been ascertained, but it 
 is stated that it will last from 600 to l»00 hours. The lamps can be 
 taken out of and replaced in their fittings with ease. They can 
 be fixed to any existing gas fittings, some being so fitted at the 
 Albany Works. The great bulk, however, were fitted in elegant 
 chandeliers of various types, which have Ijeen lent by Messrs. 
 Hulett & Co., of High Holborn, for use during the exhibition of 
 the Maxim system, which it is intended shall be continued to the 
 end of June. On the ground-floor ot the buflding some of the 
 suspended lamps were burning in globes containing water, thus 
 illustrating the ada])tability of the system tor submarine work 
 or exposure to wet. The arrangements generally were such as to 
 illustrate the suitability of the system for use in lighting dwelling- 
 houses, all the various details of the lamps being such as could 
 easily be understood and controlled. Assuming that a central 
 station existed ibr the pi-oduction of the current, it was shown 
 that the lighting of a whole house could be intantly effected. In 
 the same way the whole number of lights in a room or any 
 portion of them can be as easily turned on or otf. In fact, nothing 
 can exceed the simplicity and ease of the manipulation. 
 
 The machines wore driven by a semi-fixed steam-engine of 20 
 hoi-ses power nominal, supplied by Messrs. Ransones, Head and 
 Jefferies, of the Orwell Works, Ipswich, and similar to the one 
 which has so successfully driven the electric lighting machinery 
 
on the Thames Embankment for the past two years and a half. 
 The demonstration took place under the auspices of Mr. N. de 
 Kabath, and during the evening the various advantages of the 
 light were full}^ shown, and the sensibility of the governing ma- 
 chinery' was exemplitied by Mr. Lockwood. The light produced 
 is softer and more agreeable to the eyes than any we have yet 
 seen, and it is the tirst demonstration we have attended without 
 experiencing a painful contrast upon either quitting or re-enter- 
 ing the gas-lighted streets. There was really a great surplus of 
 light exhibited, the volume being magnificent, but not intensely 
 bright and dazzling. Altogether the demonstration was a tho- 
 rough success, and showed that the latest addition to the list of 
 systems for interior illumination would prove a worthy compe- 
 titor for honours. 
 
 THE MAXIM ELECTRIC LIGHT. 
 
 (From the London Draper, June, 10 1881.) 
 
 We received an invitation to be present on Friday week at the 
 .Albany Works, 347 Euston-road, London, to witness a series of 
 experiments in electric ligthing by incandescence on Maxim's 
 system, where a number of scientific and literary gentlemen 
 were assembled. The experiments are of considerable importance 
 to drapers, as a clear, inexpensive light of 25 candle power, without 
 heat, will be a boon indeed to our crowded business establishments, 
 and the general adoption of one form^or other of the electric light 
 in our lai'ge houses has now become but a matter of time. The 
 injury done to delicate fabrics, too, by the smoke and vapours 
 arising from the burning of gas will make any system of electric 
 light which is easy and simple of application doubly welcome. 
 This the Maxim system promises. While the public have been 
 waiting for Mr. Edison to perfect his invention, two incandescent 
 systems have been introduced — the Swan and the Maxim. It is 
 the latter which we now describe, the technical portion of the 
 report taken from the Times. 
 
 THE WESTON SYSTEM. 
 
 [From the Official Catalogue of the Paris Exposition, p. 179.] 
 
 The Weston system, which has had so great a development in 
 America, is a dynamo-electro machine with continuous currents 
 to which the inventor has made it his aim to give special quali- 
 
^- - ■'-;-"'■■- . 15 . ■ "- V;-^.--'- - 
 
 ties not possessed by other machines. Thus, to avoid the heating 
 of the I'ing, Mr. Weston formed a large number of disks of super- 
 posed iron, separatefl by wide intervals, the coils are rolled in 
 longitudinal grooves and bound to a collector with oblique plates. 
 Owing to this arrangement, the ring acts exactly as a centri- 
 fugal ventilator and remains always cool in conse(|uence of the 
 r.'ipid circulation of the air. The oblique plates of the collector 
 assure perfect regularitj' in the current, as the brushes are al- 
 ways in contact with the two plates and thus there is no interrup- 
 tion of the circuit. 
 
 The lamp is based on the differential principle which allows 
 of the arrangement of an indetinite number of foci on the same 
 circuit. Ten fod of 2000 tapers are supplied by a single 
 machine. The Weston lamp is exceedingly simple and its easy 
 working is thus assured. There are really only two moveable 
 pieces — the armature and the upper carbon-holder, without any 
 clock-work. it also gives a remarkably steady light, such as 
 other systems may perhaps attain but which they can certainly 
 not surpass. 
 
 The reputation of the Weston Machines is already made in 
 America, there being actuall}' more than a thousand in use for 
 galvanoplastic purposes. They are also beginning to be largely 
 employed in England. 
 
 As for the Weston lamps, they are at ^iresent used in the 
 electric lighting of a part of the City of London. 
 
 ELIICTBIC IiIGHTINQ BY INCANDESCIINCE-THi: 
 
 MAXIM SYSTEM. : ., , 
 
 {From the Official Cnlalogue of the Exponition, p. 182.) 
 
 Among the numerous systems of electric lighting by incandes- 
 cence, we have observed that of M. Maxim, which appears to 
 solve completely the problem of domestic lighting. This remark- 
 able system, by which the great hall of honour of the first storey 
 is lighted, comprises a larger number of separate foci elegantly 
 grouped side-by-side and forming a beautiful luminous ceiling. 
 The electric light obtained is perfectly steady, as it is produced 
 by the incandescence of a very small carbon conductor contained 
 in a little glass globe. It impresses the eye agreeably, and it is 
 not inconvenienced by intermittent and irregular radiation, which 
 is so annoying and so fatiguing. M. Maxim's system of electric 
 
lighting is carried on by an important American Company, the 
 United States Electric Lighting Co., which has already had a 
 great success in both the United States and England. This com- 
 pany will soon set up their light in several parts of the capital. 
 Even now the visitor to the Exposition of Electricity may see and 
 form a judgment of its results in the large hall on the first 
 storey. The luminous ceiling, as the visitor may ascertain for 
 himself, shines with extraordinary lustre, and the brackets with 
 which the wall is fm-uished rival in brightness the light that radi- 
 ates from the upper part of the hall. 
 
 The incandescense lamp of the Maxim sj'stem presents great 
 advantages. It is lighted and exinguished at pleasure and instan- 
 taneously. By the manipulation of a simple commuter, its power 
 may be easily graduated from that of a simple night light to the 
 greatest lustre of which it is capable. The light is perfectly 
 steady'. Finally, the pure incandesceuce realizes the almost in- 
 definite division of the electric light. 
 
 The Maxim System is already adopted by several English and 
 American estt blishments. The ITnion League Club of New 
 York have used it for several months to light their picture 
 galleiy and the results obtained leave nothing to be desired. This 
 tine sj^stem of lighting is now complete with its special 
 machines, its lamp, its regulator, and nothing stands in the way 
 of its futui-e career. 
 
 The Maxim system was first presented to the English public on 
 28th of Ma}-, 1881, by Mr. Kabath, of New York, who organized 
 at the exposition the formation of the United States Electric 
 Company. The Maxim mode of lighting by incandescence forms 
 to-day a system entirely complete, comprising four distinct di- 
 visions carefully studied out, and working wherever it had been 
 tried with entire success. These four divisions are: (1) the 
 generating machine which feeds the foci; (2) the exciting 
 machine which feeds the inductors of the generating machines ; 
 (3) the regulator, and (4) the incandescence lamp. It is the 
 dynamo-electric machines of the Maxim sj-stem which produces 
 the current necessary to feed the numerous foci which give light 
 at the exposition. 
 
 The exciting machine, has, in its upper portion, an extremely 
 ingenious and sensitive mechanism for the regulation automati- 
 cally of the current furnished by the generating machines, ac- 
 cording to the light requii'ed, that is, according to the number of 
 
VT 
 
 foci lighted. This result is obtained in the following manner : 
 An electro-magnet of fine wire placed on the machine, deviating 
 over the principal current, attracts with a force varying with 
 the power of the current an armature to which is suspended a 
 catch with two opposing teeth, which receives, by a transmis- 
 sion imported from the axis of the machine, a backwards and for- 
 wards motion. This catch moves between two toothed wheels 
 which it does not touch when the current has its normal value. 
 But if the current becomes deminished in consequence of new 
 foci being lit, the armature, less strongly attached and drawn by 
 an antagonistic force, recedes, raising the catch, of which the 
 upper tooth fastens in the cog of the upper wheel ; this motion is 
 then transmitted by means of wheels, to the brash-holders which 
 are arranged so as to turn around the collector, and so that the 
 brushes may approach or recede from the maxima or neutre 
 point; when the brushes approach the maxima points, the inten- 
 sity of the current of the exciting machine is increased in propor- 
 tion to the intensity ol' the current generated ; if, on the contrary, 
 the current is too intense, owing to the extinction of a certain 
 number of foci, the armature, being more strongly attached, 
 descends with the catch attached to it, and the lower 
 tooth of the latter, fixing itself in the cog of the lower 
 wheel, set in motion, by means of the gear already men- 
 tioned, the brush holders and brushes in an opposite direction, 
 being then nearer the neutre and away from the maxima points. 
 The force of the current of the exciter diminishes, and conse- 
 quently the intensity of the current produced. 
 
 The maxim regulator is perfectly sensitive, as is demonstrated 
 when the 60/oci, which one machine will supply, are in motion ; 
 these foci have been successively extinguished till only one re- 
 mained, the remaining foci, during this progressive extinction, 
 continuing always at the same intensity. 
 
 The maxim lamp is composed of a filament of carbon obtained 
 from calcinced card-board in the form an M with rounded angles; 
 it is contained in a glass globe of about 5 centimetres in diametre, 
 and in which a vacuum is made anew and in succession until a 
 vacuum almost perfect has been obtained with a very slight 
 quantity of gazoline, the presence of which does net exceed the 
 one hundred thousanth of one atmosphere. 
 
 A very ingenious commuter, attached to each lamp, can he 
 used to light or extinguish it. The duration of a lamp varies 
 
 2 
 
18 . 
 
 from 600 to 900 hours. When a lamp is worn otit, it can be taken 
 from its support and rephiced at< easily as one can put a candle in 
 a candlestick or remove it therefrom. Even then it has still a 
 certain value. The new lamp costs at present 7 fr. 50, but, when 
 done with, it can be sold for from 1 fr. 50 to 2 fr., still leaving a 
 certain jirofit. 
 
 All the lamps are so made that each one is perfectly independ- 
 ent of the rest. 
 
 The whole arrangement works with regularity in the Palais de 
 rindiistries, and without doubt constitutes one of the most 
 remarkable and most complete of the systems of electric lighting 
 yet invented. Its success at Paris may be regarded a assured. 
 
 EIiECTRIC LiaHTING BY INCANDESOENCE - THE 
 MAXIM UYSTEM. 
 
 (From the Paris Eleetricten, Jdly Ist.) 
 
 Pure incandescence (we designate it thus to distinguish it from 
 incandescence with combustion, as represented in France by the 
 system Keynier Werdermann), has its detraction. Accoi'ding to 
 the standpoint from which they are regarded, both systems are 
 right. The pure incandescence lamp is still more simple than the 
 Jablochkoff candle, whose simplicity, its chief, if not only merit, 
 was the cause of its success. The incandescence lamp is lighted 
 and extinguished at pleasure and instantaneously, by means of a 
 simple commuter, and its power may be easily gradu.ited fron* 
 that of an ordinary night light to its maximum lustre. The light 
 is perfectly steady. Finally, pure incandescence realizes the al- 
 most indefinite division of the electric light. Those are the quali- 
 ties for which its advocates, with good reason, give it the prefer- 
 ence. 
 
 Its detractors object, with equal reason, that the duration of 
 the lamp is not indefinite, that it must be frequently replaced, 
 that there is no means of knowing when it may suddenly go out, 
 and finally that its yield is far from high, or in other words, that 
 this light demands, for an equal power of illumination, a motive 
 force much greater than the voltaic arc. 
 
 When the pros and cons are fairly weighed, we must come to 
 
 the conclusion that the Voltaic arc, and pure incandescence con- 
 
 te two methods of electric lighting as distinct in their appli- 
 
19 
 
 cation as in their principles. The first is adapted to illumination 
 of great power where economy is an object ; the second, when 
 what is especially required is a beautiful, steady and extremely 
 distributable light. 
 
 France, in which couutry, since the first exhibition of the 
 Jablochkoff candle in 1876, there has been a rapid development 
 of electric lighting by the Voltaic arc, has been much less favored 
 with regard to pure incandescence and hitherto there has only 
 been a few isolated experiments, without practical application. 
 The International Exhibition just about to be opened, will be the 
 point of departure for this new method of lighting, as it is already 
 its rallying point. Unless we are mistaken, half a dozen systems 
 of pure incandescence are about to figure there, those of Edison, 
 Lane Fox, Maxim, Noaillon, Eeyuier and Swan, and perhaps, as 
 many more. 
 
 We now propose to pass these systems in review and to point 
 out their peculiarities. We will begin to-<lay with the Maxim 
 system, which besides other excellent qualities, has this advan- 
 tage over its rivals, that it is the first complete system that we 
 have seen in practical operation in Europe. The word complete 
 implies a point which we had better state does not suffice for a 
 system of lighting to work well, that it comprises gocxl incan- 
 descence lamp. It must also have machines appropriate to that 
 special purpose, and, in fact, a special mode of regulating the 
 current which will assume a constant power and the entire inde- 
 pendence of all the /oc*. The character of completeness thus in- 
 dicated has, up to the present, been applicable only to the systems 
 of Edison and Maxim. These are the only ones that have as yet 
 received the sanction of experience. The apparatus of Swan and 
 Lane Fox, which were tested in England, arc not, as far as we 
 are aware, furnished with special arrangements for the regula- 
 tion of the current. 
 
 The Maxim system, which we ai-e abcnit to describe, comprises 
 four principal and distinct parts : 
 
 Ist. — The generating machine, which feeds the /oct ; 
 
 2nd. — The exciter, which feeds the inductors of the generator ; 
 
 3rd. — The regulator, which is placed on the excibing machine 
 and which acts on its power, as avc shall explain, according to 
 the number of foci supplied by the genorattjr, to maintain the in- 
 tensity of the current continuous in both cases; 
 
 4th. — The incandescence lamp, of carbon filament. 
 
20 
 
 The generating machine — the electric generator of M. Maxim 
 Id a dynamo-electric machine of continuous cui'rents, with ver- 
 tical inductorB presenting the exterior appearance of a small sized 
 Siemen's machine, but of larger dimensions. It is distinguished 
 from it, however, by the form of the ring, which is roiled like that 
 of a Gramme, but with a greater relative length. 
 
 The manner of collecting the current is also slightly different 
 from that of the Gramme machine. There are two collectors placed 
 on the road at each extremity of the induct, the coils rolled on the 
 ring are bound successively to the right and left collectors, for 
 instance, if we number them, 1,2,3, 4, &c., all the even coils 
 are to the i-ight and the uneven, to the left. The machine, in 
 reality, is managed as if they were two distinct rings, rolled on 
 the same support and moving in the same magnetic area. They 
 can be coupled, as circumstances require, in tensions, in 
 quantity or in two circuits distinct and separate, feeding each a 
 series of incandescence lamps or a mixed light, that is, to employ 
 the half of the ring for the incandescence lamps on a first circuit 
 and the other half for a Voltaic arc i-egulator on a second circuit. 
 These groupings are very easily made by means of keys and pegs 
 placed at the upper ])art of the generating machine. The collect- 
 ing brushes are double ; in each pair corresponding to one side of 
 the brushes is a little longer than the others, so that, whatever 
 may be the position of the plates of the collector at a given 
 moment, there is always one of the brushes in full contact with 
 one of them, notwithstanding the isolated parts which separate 
 them. 
 
 When the machine works with incandescence lamps, the two 
 halves of the ring are arranged in quantity. The magnetic field 
 in which the ring moves is identical to that of ihe Siemens 
 machines with continuous curi-ent. 
 
 The magnetism of the conductors has a variable power which 
 depends on the number of lamps that the machine has to feed — 
 these inductors being placed in the circuit of the exciting 
 machine. 
 
 The Exciting Machine — the exciter, save for its ssmaller dimen- 
 sions, resembles the generator. There is a single collector, each 
 brush of which is simple ; but to realize, notwithstanding, the condi- 
 tion that we pointed out just now of always having a plate of 
 the collector in contact with the brushes, the plates of this col- 
 lector are not straight and in the direction of the generators of 
 
21 
 
 the cylinder, but are slightly bent in the form of a very obtuse 
 Y. The two brushes of the collector are fixed in a moveable 
 arm, and may be displaced for ninety degrees around the axis of 
 the ring, when they touch, according to the position which they 
 occup3', sometimes the two extremities of a horizontal diameter, 
 sometimes the two extremities of a vertical diameter, and 
 all the intermediate positions. The inductors of the exciting 
 machine are placet! in the same circuit as those of the generating 
 machine which we have just described. A single exciter suffices 
 to feed and to regulate the current supplied by six generators. 
 
 Before examining the regulator, properly so called, let us 
 imagine it suppressed, and let us displace the collecting brushes 
 of the exciter while the whole apparatus of the generators and 
 exciters is in motion. 
 
 By referring to the modus operandi of the Gramme machine, it 
 will be seen that the current is maximum when the brushes touch 
 the collector accoi-ding to a vertical diameter, with a slight ad- 
 vance in the direction of rotation, due to secondary phenomena 
 which we need not consider at present. 
 
 When the brushes are placed at a horizontal diameter, that is, 
 when they tench the centre points, there will be no current. The 
 displacement of the brushes in an angle of about 90 degrees will, 
 therefore, have the result of making the current produced by the 
 exciter touch all valves from zero to maximum. The magnetic 
 fields of the generator will vary in power in the same proportion 
 as the current produced by the exciter. As the electro-motive 
 force of the generatoi", for a given and constant velocity, is related 
 to the power of the magnetic field in which it moves, the final 
 result is that every movement of the brushes of the exciter reacts 
 immediately on the generator in augmenting or diminishing its 
 power. 
 
 It is quite evident, for instance, that if the generator can feed 
 sixty incandescence foci, it must develop a greater electro-motive 
 force when the sixty foci are in operation than when only 50, 30, 
 20, or 10 are in operation. Let us say en passant, that, in the 
 Maxim system, all the foci are placed en derivation, every time 
 that a new one is lighted, the exterior resistance is diminished, 
 and the electi'o-motive force must be augmented slightly to keep 
 the intensity constant on the circuits ah*eady existing, and vice 
 versa. We have just seen that it could bo done very simply by 
 changing the motion of the brushes of the exciter by the hour. 
 
M. Maxim'8 regulator ia an apparatus which effects this automati- 
 cally and constantly proportions the power of the magnet field 
 of the generator to the number otfoci being fed. 
 
 The Regulator. — It is easy now to see how the regulator works, 
 the upper part of the exciter has two electro-magnets. We will 
 only consider one of them just now, as the second has a role quite 
 distinct. This electromagnet has fin* wire rolled round it, of 
 which theexti-emities are joined to the two ends of the generator 
 from which issue the conductors which reach the lamps. The 
 armature of the electro-magnet is fixed to a horizontal lever 
 whose course is limited by two screws represented on the right ; 
 an antagonistic force, the tension of which is regulated by the 
 aid of a screw, balances the action of the electro-magnet on the 
 armature. The extremity of the lever of the armature is joined 
 by a wire, slightly elastic, to a horizontal lever witii two small 
 teeth and receiving a backwai-ds and forwards movement hy the 
 aid of a small rod and of transmissions l)y cord which join the 
 centre of the little rod to the centre of the exciter and thus com- 
 municate to it a movement of rotation relatively slow. 
 
 The horizontal lever moves between two toothed wheels like 
 ratchet wheels. 
 
 In the normal position of the armature and of the lever which 
 is joined to it, this lever is moved easily in the space left between 
 the two toothed wliools, drawing neither one nor the other. 
 Suppose, for example, that two or three lamps have been extin- 
 guished. The current is then too intense for the remaining 
 lamps. The electro-magnet draws its armature, the toothed lever 
 goes down, and the lower tooth attaches itself to the lower 
 toothed wheel, the back and foi'ward movement communicates to 
 it a rotation in such a direction that, at each turn of the little rod, 
 there is produced a slight movement of rotation which is trans- 
 mitted to the brushes by a series of transmissions along the gear. 
 In these co'^ditions, the brushes change their motion and ap- 
 proach the centre point, the exciter current becomes weaker, 
 and consequently the current genei-atod by the generator is weak- 
 ened also. These elementary changes, so to speaki'are produced 
 until the current has assumed the new valve which just suits the 
 number of lamps in operation. The electro-magnet then lets go 
 the armature, the toothed lever takes its normal position between 
 the two toothed wheels and at an equal distance from each. If 
 new lamps are lit, the current becomes weaker, the armature 
 
affected by the antagonistic agency recedes again, the toothed 
 lever acts now on the upper toothed wheel, and the same trans- 
 mission along the gear moves the brushes in an opposite direc- 
 tion, so as to bring them to the maxima points, augmenting the 
 power of the inductors and consequently the electric-motive force 
 of the generator. The regulator has thus the effect of compen- 
 sating for the change J of intensity resulting from lighting and 
 extinction. Nothing is more interesting than to watch its 
 motion, and it is so sensitive that it is enough to light or extin- 
 guish a single lamp to make it at once perform its duty and act 
 in the desired direction. 
 
 The antagonistic force constitutes in fine the regulation of the 
 entire system. It suffices to augment its tension slightly to 
 regulate the intensity of all the foci fed by the machine. By 
 diminishing it, on the contrary, it is lowered until the lamps 
 seem like mere night tapers or even extinguished altogether. 
 The experiment entertained crowds of visitors in London, in May 
 last, when the system which is soon to be tested at the Interna- 
 tional Exhibition of electricy was inaugurated. 
 
 We have just said that M. Maxim's regulator was very sensi- 
 tive. This is a quality, however, which is accompanied unfor- 
 tunately, by a great defect. The regulator is sensitive, but its 
 action is too slow. If suddenly a too great number of lamps 
 are extinguished, the intensitj" would be excessive in the remain 
 mgfoci. Their power augmenting suddenlj', there would result 
 the extinction of several /op: which could not not long resist a 
 current so intense, before the regulator had performed its func- 
 tions. 
 
 We must say that the remedy, or rather, the palliative, is 
 almost as bad as the evil in M. Maxim's system. This palliative 
 consists of a veritable safety valve which the inventor has added 
 to his regulator by placing a second electro-magnet on the upper 
 part of the regulator. 
 
 This second electro-magnet is like the first and is placed in the 
 same circuit as the first, which, in order to facilitate the explana- 
 tion, we have supposed to be placed at the end of the generator. 
 Its armature is mounted on a lever identical with the former and 
 also i-egulated by force of which the tension is slightly superior to 
 that of the regulator. If the current which passes through the 
 two electors at once is sufficiently intense to attract the armature 
 of the second magnet, it will lower the lever. This lever on des- 
 
24 
 
 cending will unite the two brushes of the exciting machine 
 directly and it will form what they call a short circuit. In these 
 circumstances, the inductors of the exiter and the generator will 
 no longer receive a current ; the generator draft will no longer 
 furnish a current, the lamps will gradually grow weaker in in- 
 tensity, there will be a partial extinction for some seconds, but 
 the light will not go out. M. Maxim must have thought that the 
 regulator would not act efficiently in all possible cases when he 
 added to it a means of protection ho radical. Let us at once add 
 that the safety valve is but very rarely called for and that it is 
 useful whenever there is a sudden rupture of a leading conductor 
 or if any analogous accident should happen. 
 
 The lamp. — The incandescence lamp of M. Maxim has the exte- 
 terior aspect of the Edison and the Swan lamps. It is composed 
 of a very thin filament of carbon, which has successively affected 
 very diverse forms : horse shoe, cross of Malta, &e., and which is 
 now presented under the aspect of the figure 2. It is distinguished 
 from analogous lamps by its mode of fabrication. The process is 
 to introduce into the globe a certain quantity of hydrocarbonized 
 gas, then after having formed a vacuum anew, to introduce gas, 
 and so on, until all the air has disappeared. 
 
 Experience has shewn that, by the passage of the current, the 
 vapour of the gazoline contained finally in the globe, plays, with 
 regard to the filament, a renovating role by depositing its carbon 
 on the most incandescent parts, that is, the most tennous. 
 
 The adherence of the filament of carbon to filings of platina is 
 also ■'vorth pointing out, for it affords excellent contact. The con- 
 ductors of platina also pass through a special enamel, the compo- 
 sition of which contributes to steam-lightness. The coefficient of 
 dilatation of this enamel must have been almost the same as that 
 of platina for avoiding crevices. 
 
 At present, thanks to the perfection reached by M. Nichols, 
 copper may be substituted for platina and the lamps may be con- 
 structed at an exceedingly low price. 
 
 The lamps are arranged on a mounting of ebony, terminated 
 by a tail piece of nickel-plated metal. This can be screwed to gas 
 burnere, as well as the oi-dinary burners. 
 
 In case electricity be substituted for gas, a single conductor 
 will suffice, the ordinary piping serves as return wire. The 
 lamps ai-e lit and extinguished by means of a small key, some- 
 thing like the gas tap which closes or opens the cii'cuit. 
 
26 
 
 All these details and others which have not been mentioned 
 combine to make of the Maxim lamp a simple and practical piece 
 of woi'kmanship, of which the dm*ation depends on the intensity 
 of the current that traverses the lamp — say, from 600 to 900 hours. 
 In these conditions, the abatement is insignificant. The loss in 
 all cases is confined to the globe and the filament of carbon. 
 
 The Maxim electric lamp will light the hall 'honour (hall C) 
 at the exposition of electricity. It baa been adapted already by 
 several English and American establishments. The Union League 
 Club, of New York, have used it for several months to light 
 their picture gallery. 
 
 It remains for us to say a few words en the question of economy. 
 It is incontestable that pure incandescence requires the expendi- 
 ture of more energy, for an equal luminous power, than the Yoltaic 
 arc. The reason is that the surface to be cooled is much larger 
 in the former case than in the latter. 
 
 The temperatui'e is, therefore, less elevated with incandescence, 
 but as the luminous return augments incomparably more rapidly 
 than the temperature, it follows that the incicase in the surface 
 of radiation is far from compensating for the loss from the lower- 
 ing of temperature. There is a gain nevertheless in not having 
 violet rays ; the light is whiter, purer, steadier, and can be regu- 
 lated at pleasure. It, also, in certain cii'cumstances, assumes 
 yellow and orange shades, but these curious effects are obtained 
 at the loss of power. This combination of qualities would, how- 
 ever, be very valuable for spectacular occasions, and for this pur- 
 pose, indeed, they are sure to be soon turned to account. After 
 what we have said of the Maxim system, it will be seen that pure 
 incandescence, with its advantages and conveniences, is certain 
 before long to receive the patronage in Europe which it has 
 already received in England and America. The question of net 
 cost, which will soon be placed beyond doubt by pi*ecise and 
 comparative experiments, has only a secondai-y importance, as 
 now, more than ever, people consent to pay a high price for a 
 light that is agreeable and better distributed. The objections that 
 were made to incandescence on its first exhibition are every day 
 becoming of less moment. Before long it will meet with on more 
 opposition to the development which avails it. 
 
 E. HOSPITALIEE. 
 
26 
 
 ELECTRIC LIOHTXNO OF BAZLWA7 TRAINS. 
 
 (From Capital and Labor, London, October, 1881.) 
 
 An intereating experiment, the tirat of its kind, was made on 
 Friday afterntwn on the Brighton Railway, to test the practica- 
 bility of applying the electric light for the illumination of rail- 
 way carriages. The trial was made in a Pullman car, forming 
 part of a special train, which left Victoria for Brighton at 3.25 
 p.m. Mr. J. P. Knight, the general manager of the Brighton 
 Railway ; Mr. Houghton, telegraph superintendent ; Mr. H. S. 
 Roberts, manager, and Mr. Miller, secretary of the Pullman Car 
 Company ; Mr. F. A. Pincoffs, and Mr. Lachlan, of the Faure 
 Accumulator Company, were among those present. The electric 
 lighting of railway carriages has, we understand, long engaged 
 the attention of the Brighton Company, and Mr. Knight, the 
 general manager, and Mr. Stroudley, the locomotive and carriage 
 superintendent , have made many inquiries and several tentative 
 experiments with a view to ascertain whether it was practicable. 
 Till the invention by M. Faure of the secondary battery, by which 
 electric energy can be stored, there was a considerable diflSculty 
 in the way of the adoption of electrical illumination in trains. 
 Friday's experience showed that this difficulty has been sur- 
 mounted. The car carried thirty-two Faure's cells, as they are 
 called technically, each consisting, in fact, of two flat lead plates, 
 coated with red lead. These cells had been previously charged at 
 the offices of the Accumulator Company. All that was necessary 
 when darkness came on was to touch a small switch, and 
 instantly the twelve little incandescent lamps with which the 
 carriage was titled gave out a tine, mild, equable, white light. The 
 radiance of the lamps was shed down by reflectors, fitted in the 
 roof of the car, and it was sufficiently bright to illuminate every 
 part of the saloon. The Brighton Company are about to put on, 
 tor the Victoria and Brighton service, a new special Pullman 
 train, and if Fi'iday's trial may be taken as a fair example of the 
 working of this new system, it is probable that the new cars will 
 be fitted with the incandescent lamps and accumulators for regular 
 use in that train. The car on the down journey during day 
 light was lighted by the application of the switch during the pro- 
 gress of the train through the several tunnels ; but on the return 
 journey in the evening the saloon was kept lighted the whole of 
 the distance from Brighton to Victoria. 
 
27 
 
 ELEOTRIOITY FOR NAVIGATION AND MARINE!. 
 
 (From the Ntv York Herald, Nov. 21, 1881.) 
 
 TRS BROOKLYN TO HAVX ELECTRIC LIGHTS. 
 
 The departure of the Urited States steamer Brooklyn, now 
 being fitted for sea at Brooklyn, will be delayed until the 10th 
 or 15th of December, in order to allow the introduction of the 
 electric light on board. The berth deck will be illuminated with 
 incandescent lights, and larger burners be used for the running 
 lights. This improvement will dispense with the oil lamps and 
 make the berth deck, especially in South American waters, 
 more agreeable and healthful. A small donkey engine is to be 
 added to the equipment for ranning the dynamo machine, and 
 which will also be used for hoisting coal and ashes. The 
 Brooklyn mil be the first vessel of the naval or merchant marine 
 of the United States illuminated with the electric light. When the 
 subject was proposed, a short time since, officers of the Brooklyn 
 were in doubt about Secretary Hunt approving the plan, especi- 
 ally as it would delay the departure of the vessel. The merits of 
 the plan commended themselves to the Secretary so readily that 
 he ordered the work to be commenced immediately and to delay 
 the departure of the vessel until it was satisfactorily tested. 
 Additional protection against collision is among the points of recommen- 
 dation. The success of the light on the Brooklyn will probably 
 lead to the illumination of all onr naval vessels by the electric 
 
 ELECTRICITY ADVOCATED. 
 
 {From thi official report for the year ended 30 June, 1881, submitted to the Secretary 
 of the Treasury, Washington.) 
 
 The advances made in the appliances for generating electricity, 
 fcnd the great improvements in the efficiency of the burners used 
 electi'ic lamps, justify the board in recommending the intro- 
 luction of electricity in some of the first order sea coast lights. 
 Ln appropriation of 850,000 is asked for this purpose. 
 
 In order that the Boai-d may definitely state the cost of a 
 light station at the time they recommended its erection to Con- 
 gress, an appropriation of $10,000 should be made for the exam- 
 ination and survey of sites for proposed light stations and for 
 preparing plans for the sti-uctures. 
 
■'' v.v' " 28 
 
 THE ELECTBIC LIQHT AND PLANT QROWTH. 
 
 From Mark Lane's Express, Oct. 17, 1881. 
 
 The application of electricity to lighting and otlrer purposes is 
 rapidly increasing in public favour, and every year ia marked by 
 some new improvement and some cheaper method in its use. In 
 the streets of London and in provincial towns the electric light 
 no longer excites the curiosity ol' the crowd, for the familiarity 
 which breeds contempt has led them to regard its dazzling bril 
 liancy with indifference. In the reading-room of the Britisli 
 Museum bright eyes pore every evening over musty volume-* 
 which are illuminated b}" the incandescent carbon points, and in 
 the newest theatre in London it is the electric light again whose 
 revealing rays help to lay bare the flimsy and affected character 
 of modern sestheticism. Only a week or two ago a dispute 
 between the gas company and the local board at the quiet town of 
 Godalming determined the town authorities to light the borough 
 at night by means of electricity, the motor power for which is 
 derived from the hitherto wasted force of the flowing watei's oi 
 the river Wey. This example is, we believe, likely to be followed 
 elsewhere, and we are undoubtedly approaching within a measure- 
 able distance of the time when the immense force expended 
 twice a day in the ebb and flow of the tide upon our rock-bound 
 coasts will likewise be utilised as a source of power. 
 
 Among the more delicate attempts to employ the electric light 
 for economic purposes, the researches that have been made as to 
 ts influence on the growth of plants occupy a prominent place, 
 and the subject has in this country received much attention from 
 two such accomplished physicists as Messrs. Spottiswoode and 
 Siemens. In France, the subject has fortunately been taken up 
 by the well-known agricultural chemist, M. Deh^rain, who in a 
 recent number of the R6vue Seientifique gives some account of his 
 work in so far as it has gone. 
 
 Mr. Deh^rain wished to determine, at the outset what action, if 
 any, the electric light exerts upon plant life, ar.d further that, 
 if plants after being exposed as usual to the light of day were 
 regularly illuminated by the electric light during the hours of 
 darkness, the advantage thus gained would be sufficient to justify 
 the power in emploA-ing the light. 
 
 As long ago as 1861, M. Herv6-Mangou found that in plants 
 grown in darkness the electriclight alone was capable of determiu- 
 
-■ ^- ■:.- ■ ' , - 29 " -^;:: 
 
 ing the presence in the plants of the green colouring matter 
 balled chlorophyll ; but it is well known that the feeblest daylight 
 is capable of producing the same result. 
 
 Some years ago M. Deh^rain grew some plants under red glass ; 
 Ihese became perfectly green, and appeared to develop quite nor- 
 lally for some time, but when gathered, the plants were found to 
 possess far less substance than their progenitors, showing that 
 red light, although sufficieiit to determine the appearance of 
 chlorophyll, has not enough energy to lead to a normal assimila- 
 tion of carbon. 
 
 Dr. Siemens, in England, found that an electric light equal in 
 illuminating power to 1,400 wax candles, and placed at a distance 
 of 6^ feet from growing plants, appeared to possess an action 
 equivalent to that of the light of a winter day. With more 
 energetic sources of light more advantageous results were obtained, 
 and plants which were exposed to the solar i*ays during day time, 
 and to the electi-ic light during night, presented a mai'ked 
 advance upon those which were kept in darkness all night. 
 
 In M. Deh^rain's experiments, one of the compartments of the 
 greenhouse had its panes of glass blackened, so that the plants in 
 this compartment were entirely withdrawn from the influence of 
 daylight, and received only the electric light. Five series of 
 experiments were commenced, the conditions diifering in each case, 
 and the several results being therefore available for comparison. 
 The series were the following : — 1. Plants placed under blackened 
 glass and subjected continuously, through day and night, to the 
 electric light. ~. Plants receiving by day the pale light of the 
 Palais de I'lndustrie, and at night the electric light. 3. Plants 
 receiving the same light by day as the second series, but remain- 
 ing in darkness all night. 4. Plants exposed all day in the flower- 
 beds of the Champs-Elys^es, and placed under the electric light 
 ♦at night. 5. Plants grown normally in the open aii-. 
 
 Undoubtedly, the mo.st important question which these expex'i- 
 lents are likely to determine is that regarding the value of con- 
 tinuous illumination. It is known that in countries where the 
 Bun, during the summer, remains almost constantly above the 
 lorizon, the vegetation developes with surprising rapidity, as, 
 Ifor example, in a country of so high a latitude as Norway. This 
 imay, at first, appear strange, but it must be remembered thatdur- 
 ling the Norwegian summer the sun is visible for 18 to 21 hours 
 [out of the 24, during which time the temperature will range 
 
between, say, 55 and 65 degrees. Now if the temperature be mul- 
 tiplied into the number of hours during which the sun is visible. 
 we get for a high latitude like Norway, a product practically 
 equal to that similarly obtained for the much lower latitude of 
 Paris, where the sun is visible for only about 14 hours per day. 
 
 Admitting that the electric light bus, like the sun. an acceler- 
 ating effect upon vegetation, M. Deb^rain holds that illumination 
 of plants during night should advance growth, and in this case 
 the employer of the electric light might bring bis plants to 
 maturity a moiitii or six weeks earlier than otherwise. It is in 
 the market for fruits and vegetables that the advantage would be 
 most manifest, as early scarcity is always accompanied by good 
 prices. For this reason, the fourth series of experimental plants 
 are watched with the greatest interest, as the best natural illum- 
 ination by day and the electric light af night at once suggests 
 itself as the most appropriate way in which to make use of arti- 
 ficial light. 
 
 Kthe experiments at the Palais de I'lndustrie give favourable 
 results, it is probable that the employment of the electric light 
 for the nocturnal illumination of greenhouses will rapidly 
 develope, and the utilisation of streams of water, waterfalls, &c., as 
 sources of power will at once come within the region of practical 
 application. Though it may i)e a very long time before even 
 the most advanced farmers take to working an electric light on 
 their own account, yet it is not unlikely that seed-growers may 
 speedily find it advisable to subject their best plants to nocturnal 
 illumination, for parent plants which are habituated to nature 
 early transmit this precocity through their seeds. 
 
 FINANCIAL FUTURE OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING. 
 
 (From William Abbotts Circular for Nov. ]Otk, 1881. London.) 
 
 It is very evident that the popularity of electi-ic lighting is 
 steadily increasing. Its application for illumination piu-poses has 
 now far advanced beyond the merely experimental stage. The mani- 
 fold demonstrations of the excellence of " the light of the future" 
 indicate that even now in its very infancy it can favorably com- 
 pete with gas, with this further advantage, viz : — that it can be 
 applied where gas cannot possibly be utilized. Thus, as distinct 
 from the illumination of houses, streets, embankments, bridges. 
 
. 31 
 
 open spaces theatres, railway stations and other large interiors, 
 such as mills, factories, &c., the Electric Light has been found 
 suitable for mines, for railway carriages on long journeys, tor 
 light-houses and for ships. Its utility in each of these capacities 
 has been fully and satisfactoi-ily tested. 
 
 Apart, however, from the general interest manifested as to the 
 listinctive merits of gas and the electric light they are of con- 
 siderable importance to the investing public, who, of course, very 
 jroperiy regani the rival claims from the strictly commercial 
 new of relative cost. Upon this special point some valuable 
 [information was afforded last week at the meeting of the Electric 
 jight and Powder Generator Company, where, in addition to the 
 statement of Professor Crookes as to the prospect of that company 
 barning '• a good profit," the chairman announced that an 
 r official report showed that 42 per cent had been saved in nine 
 lonths in lighting the South Kensington Museum by electric 
 light, including the cost of engine and men's time." Such a 
 result attending almost the very birth of a new entei-prise gives 
 promise of a brilliant future, and when it is considered that the 
 field for operations is practically illimitable, there can be no doubt 
 that the present well established companies will prosper. Indeed, 
 the vigorous and startling' developement now going on in this 
 branch of electrical science, atfords evidence that it is in such a 
 direction that speculation is likely to be attached, and those who 
 associate themselves with the enterprise in its earliest stages, will 
 of course reap the greatest profit. 
 
 In view of the important acquisition of the Maxim patents 
 (which obtained a gold medal at the recent Paris Exhibition) by 
 the Electric Light and Powder Generator Company, I think that 
 company's shares are well worth buying. The adoption of the 
 Maxim light for the Paris Opera House gives it a stamp of real 
 value, especially when it is certified that " great favor was shown to 
 the apparatus. The experiment of yesterday and last night was 
 a triumphant test of the superiority of electric over gas lights in 
 theatres." The shares of the Brush Company are also likely to 
 prove a good investment, though they are relatively higher in 
 price, being quoted £4 premium, £4 paid, the Electric Light 
 shares being 2s. 6d. premium for £1 fully paid. 
 
Office of the LiDOERWooD Mancfactuking Co., 
 96 Liberty St., New York. 
 
 New York, August 19th, 1881. 
 
 The United States Electric Lighting Company, 
 New York : 
 
 Gentlemen — We wish to say that the five-light machine recently put in for 
 us by you at our Brooklyn Shops, Erie Basin, work very satisfactorily. 
 
 Your man started it two weeks ago to-day, when it went off splendidly, and 
 has continued to give us the came or rather better light every night since. 
 
 Our men that are near or in the vicinity of the lights seem to have about as 
 good light as in the day-time. 
 
 Upon the whole we think it the most important improvement that we have 
 yet introduced into our machine shops to facilitate the getting of work out of 
 a busy shop. We shall order our light doubled soon. 
 
 Kespectfully yours, 
 
 LIDGERVVOOD MANUFACTURING CO., 
 
 J. W. S., Supt. 
 
 . - Office ol Smith t McNell, 
 
 198 Greenwich St., New York. 
 
 New York, Sept. I6th, 1881. 
 The United States Electric Lighting Company, 
 120 Broadway, City: 
 
 Gentlenun — We have had in use for some months in our restaurant a ten 
 and a five-light Weston Electric Light Machine, the ten-light purchased after 
 the trial of the five-light, and after a trial of other Electric Lights. 
 
 We run the five-light during the day-time, and the ten-light all night. 
 
 Our gas bills are $85 less weekly than the corresponding week last year, and 
 the cost of Electric Lighting is simply the five-horse power used during the 
 day and about eight-horse at night, with carbons, thus showing a net saving 
 of nearly $85 per week, with the advantage of a steady, pleasing, white light, 
 that notwithst tnding rather low ceilings gives the greatest satisfaction to our 
 guests, numbering over 5,000 daily. 
 
 The heat from the gas necessitated the constant use of revolving fans, that 
 increase the trouble by blowing the heat down on tiie tables. 
 
 The care of the lights is in the hands of one of our regular help. 
 
 Gas bills : 1880. Sept. 10-17, $187.20 ; 1881, Sept. 7-14, 102.05. 
 
 < Yours truly, 
 
 TH08. R. McNELL. 
 
33 
 
 I 
 
 ^■1 ,' Office of the Iron Steamboat Company, 
 
 ■ , New York, August 3d, 1881. 
 
 Thi: Uxited States Electric Li(;htin(; Compaxv, 
 120 Broadway, City: 
 
 Gentlemen — We had one of the ten-light Weston machines with engine com- 
 plete put on our steamer '• Cetus." at the same time we were using the Brush 
 Light on our pier. 
 
 The success attending the ligliting of this first steamer was so great that 
 we decided at once to light the remaining boats which we had contemphited 
 ligliting. namely. ''Taurus," " Pegasus ' and the " Cepheus.'' 
 
 The color of your light is remarlcable for its purity and absence of any blue 
 shade peculiar to all others. The boats are subject to pretty rough handling 
 in a heavy sea, yet the lights run with perfect steadiness. 
 
 Although the lights are necessarily hung quite low, the porcelain globes 
 which your Company have provided produce an efiectunequalcd by any other 
 means of illumination. 
 
 The engine furnishing the lights is frequently run with 15 or 20 lbs. steam 
 pressure, showing the economy in the power consumed in our system. 
 
 AVe think that your light is well adapted to the illumination of every class 
 of river and ocean steamers. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 GEO. S. SCOTT, Presiknt. 
 
 Office of the Rockawav Beach Hotel, 
 
 Rockaway Beach, Sept. 3d, 1881. 
 
 Thk U-nitei> States Electric LuiiiTixr. Company, 
 120 Broadway, New Ycu'k : 
 
 Gentlemen — The ten-light Weston machine and lamps that you put in for 
 us some weeks ago are running to our complete satisfaction. 
 
 Having had experience heretofore in various Electric Lamps, knowing the 
 power consumed and care required in keeping them in order, we feel confident 
 that we have by far the best system in existence for Electric Lighting. 
 
 The machine was put up at a very short notice, and is driven from the ordi- 
 nary engine on tlie premises, and was turned over to our engineer within a 
 few days from sfcirtiug, since which time wo have had no difficulty whatever 
 in maintaining the llglits without interruption. 
 
 One of the tcn-liirhts I experimentally had suspended from the ceiling of our 
 main parlor, one of the largest in the country, and the result is past all con- 
 ception. It hiis displaced VI five-feet burners (gas), giviuif a far .steadier, more 
 powerful and brighter light than we have ever had in the same room. 
 
 We find the color is not at all objectionable to the ladies, the complexion 
 raniaining the same in the light, unlike all other Electric Lights that we know 
 -JSi, thut give a blue, ghastly appearance. _^.^ 
 
 3 
 
34 ■■ ■ " --' 
 
 Regarding the relative cost as compared with that of givs, a point 1 liave 
 hitherto been unable to ascertjiin, I can now give coirectly, viz. : six of tlie 
 ten lights now save me thirty-five thousand feet of gas per week, which at 
 the price I pay for gas, viz., $3. JO per thousand, ecjuals a saving of $122 per 
 week, less the cost of running the entire ten lights, which is $40 per week, 
 showing a net saving of $82 per week, with four lights to spare. 
 I am very respectially yours, 
 " 0. G. BURNAP. 
 
 Manager of the Rockaicay Beach Hotel. 
 
 Hall's Safe and Lock Company, 
 
 Mfrs. of Hall's Patent Safes and Bank Locks, 
 
 Ci.vciNNATi, Sept. 22d, 1881. 
 The Westo.v Electric Light Company, 
 
 120 Broadway, New York : 
 
 Gentlemen — We have been using four of your ten light machines for nearly 
 one year and find them to work in the most satisfactory manner. 
 
 We find the lights not only powerful, but steady, the color perfectly white, 
 which makes it very agreeable to our emplo, jes. We find it particularly 
 adapted to our work of all classes, machine rooms, foundries, paint and orna- 
 mental room, as also for office use. In fact we would not be without them. 
 Another great point about them to be considered is, the machines can be ope- 
 rated by the same engines in conjunction with other machinery. 
 
 We are very truly yours, 
 
 HALL SAFE AND LOCK COMPANY. 
 
 RICHARD F. PULLEN, Secretary. 
 
 , Office of the Portek Mf'i;. Co., (Limited). 
 
 SvRAcrsK, N. Y., April 20. 1881. 
 To whom it may concern : 
 
 At the request of Mr. Teall we cheerfully make the following statement as 
 to our experience with the Electric Light : llir. <;i>ilils and myself were 
 appointed by the " Board of Directors '' to go to New York and examine the 
 different Electric Lights. 
 
 We did so. and in our opinion tlie Weston Light was a whiter liprht than 
 the Brush. The bluish tinge, which is characteristic of the Brush Light, 
 seemed to be absent from the Weston Light. 
 
 The power seemed to be much less per light with the Weston than it did 
 with the Brush, from the indicator cards that were taken from engines running 
 Electric Lights of both manufacturers. 
 
 We have been running the Weston Light for about two months, and it has 
 been running very satisfactorily, and has not caased any trouble. 
 
And we think the LStimate of three-fifths i.f a horse power to a light, of a so 
 called 2,000 tiindle power, would not be out of tlie way as a fair estimate of the 
 actual power when in common use. 
 
 Yours truly, , 
 
 The PORTER MF'G. CO., (Limited). 
 
 G. A. PORTER, Treasurer. 
 
 Albany, N. Y. July 28, 1881. 
 To whoever it may concern : 
 
 This is to certify that we have used the Weston Electric Light Machine in 
 our stores for the pa>t seven months and believe it to be the best machine for 
 lighting purposes yet produced. 
 
 This light takes only about one half as much power to each light, as the 
 Brush or any other machine we know of. 
 
 We were running the Brush sixteen light machine for Messrs. W. M_ 
 Whitney & Co., lust fall, and as near as we could ascertain, it took over twenty 
 horse power, while the Weston would not take over ten horse power for the 
 same number of lights. 
 
 We also find the Weston lights are much more powerful, and of a much 
 better color, and steadier. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 R. STRICKLAND & CO. 
 
 Office of the Congress and Empire Spring Co., 
 Saratoga Springs, N. 
 
 To ThK WkSTOX ElKI T1!IC LifiHT COMPAXV, 
 
 120 Broadway, New York : 
 Gents — The two ten light machines, with twenty lamps, you furnished us in 
 June last, tor our Park and Spring Pavillions, we used regularly without inter- 
 ruption during our business season, from July 1 st to September 18th inclusive, 
 and have given us entire satisfaction The lights have been greatly admired 
 by our visitors and guests, wlio generally pronounced them superior to all 
 others in the steady, white, diffusive character of the light. 
 
 C. SHEEHAN, Vice Pres. 
 
 C. & E. S. Co. 
 
 OflBce of Hadlky Co., ManufiEicturers of Spool Cottons, Fine Yarns, Warps, 
 Harness and Seine Twine, Ac., &c., 
 
 HoLYOKE. Mass., March 9th, 1881. 
 J. H. Alley, Esq. : 
 
 Dear Sir — Replying to your inquiry about the Weston Electric Lights at 
 the Hadley Company's Works, I have the pleasure of saying that, so far, we 
 have been much pleased with them. In fact, I may say that they have given 
 
 us entire satisfaction in every respect. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 ... ..... . ^ ...... . .•/. ..... WJI- GROVER, Agt. 
 
 Have now ordere«l'ft)rt)''i»ddilipn&l Ji^fel . • • ! ; ! . 
 
 :.•:;..;..; ... ; : :;..•.;.•.'./:.. 
 :.-. /. ::.:•:• ..••.: ;: :•.; .•.:•• 
 
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