THE EIFFEL TOWER, 741 



The constructiou of a tower composed of curves that will best with- 

 staud the wind has produced a very graceful architectural outline. The 

 air of triuiness in tlie realization of the design is due to the fact that 

 there has been no waste of material. An upward moving force in tak- 

 ing the direction of least resistance would doubtless assume approxi- 

 mately' the form of this structure. Nearly all kinds of growth acquire 

 something like this cone shape wliile manifesting concentrated motion 

 necessitated by surrounding lorces. Many beautiful designs are founded 

 upon the tapering forms of flowers and of leaves, as in the delicate 

 tracery of frost-work. In building to secure safety from the action of 

 the elements, M. Eiffel has perhai)s unintentionally foHowed the meth- 

 ods of nature, and thus the architecural beauty of his work has the best 

 possible contirmation. 



The well-worn criticism that this scheme lacks utility is ever present 

 in all daring scientific enterprises. But the value of tliis tower is ad- 

 mitted by eminent French scientists. It will take the place of the great 

 balloon let up into the air by means of a cable worked by steam, which 

 was so successful during the Exi)osition of 1878. An ascent can be 

 made without the danger of collapse or gas explosion caused by light- 

 ning, often present in a captive balloon. The unexpectedly rapid ap- 

 proach of a local storm might cause loss of life before the winding-in of 

 a balloon could be completed. The view of Paris at night, with its 

 seemingly interminable boulevards brilliantly lighted, is marvellous, 

 and such as aeronauts only have witnessed. The feeling of distance 

 and height will not be lessened by intervening lower slopes as in most 

 mountain views. « 



It is proposed to put upon the tower a number of electric lamps, 

 powerful enough to light the city. The advantage of such a system had 

 been long thought of, but it was a very difdcult project to carry out, 

 owing to the great intensity necessary. It has been decided however 

 tbat the Exposition buildings and grounds are to be lighted in a man- 

 ner never before equalled. In 1881, M. Sebillot proposed to place elec- 

 tric lights at an elevation of 1,000 feet, but the idea involved difBculties 

 of construction aud a waste of illumination that made it impracticable. 

 It has been found that to make printed matter sufSciently legible in the 

 park and gardens of the Exposition, not less than three concentric zones, 

 numbering forty-eight lamps, would be required at so great a height. 

 AVith special reflecting mirrors concentrating the light within prescribed 

 limits, it is believed that the efi'ect would be better than anything be- 

 fore accomplished, so far as known. 



Many eminent men promptly admit the value of the tower for scien- 

 tific purposes. M. Herve-Mangon, of the Meteorological Society of 

 France, points oat the importance of observations made at different dis- 

 tances from the earth's surface under tliese conditious, and that experi- 

 ments of the greatest interest are possible. Tlie law of the decrease of 

 the temperature with the height would be demonstrated better than 



