87 



that, under proper management, and taking equal volumes of 

 the two flames, my lights had two and a half times the illumi- 

 nating power of common gas lights. 



" Lest any apprehension should exist relative to the conse- 

 quences of oversetting a lamp containing so inflammable a 

 liquid as naphtha, with a flame burning at the only issue 

 through which naphtha could pass, it is proper to state that 

 the moment any one of the four sides of the lamp is raised 

 half an inch from the table, as in the act of overturning, the 

 lamp spontaneously extinguishes itself. In any case, little 

 naphtha can be spilled ; and that little will not leave the 

 slightest stain on the most delicately tinted carpet, or even on 

 silk, as it will dry out perfectly if the naphtha be pure. By 

 another contrivance, the lamp may be moved from place to 

 place without extinction of the flame. 



'• There is nothing in the construction of the lamp which 

 should render it unmanageable in the hands of a servant of 

 ordinary intelligence. Although even the purest naphtha 

 has a smell equally disagreeable with and resembling common 

 gas, not even the slightest odour can be perceived from it in 

 burning. 



" The new table-lamp may be thrown into a variety of 

 shapes, some of them as graceful as any of those now in use, 

 but in that case involving more complication than the one 

 now exhibited. 



*' It is to be observed that this lamp cannot easily be kin- 

 dled when the temperature of itself and contents is below 40°. 

 The best mode is to pour in the naphtha immediately before 

 it is required, and then it will kindle at ordinary temperatures, 

 but will show little light for a few minutes ; the light will 

 then rapidly increase. If the naphtha contained in its proper 

 supply-can be warmed to 80° or 90° by being placed for some 

 time before the fire, and then poured in, the lamp on being 

 kindled will show excellent light at once." 



