70 New Discovery in Optics. 
metal *. - How far this power and effect may extend, is not at 
present ascertained ; but it is believed that a zone of light of the 
same quality and effect may be produced ta an inconceivable ex- 
tent. Some idea may be formed of the powerful and important, 
results that may be derived from this discovery, by*reasoning 
philosophically on its principles:—Let a candle or any other 
light be represented in a mirror at a given distance from the 
flame; and the eye of the spectator be placed so as to view its 
reflection nearly in the cathetus of incidence. Let him mark the 
quantity of light represented in the mirror, and such will be its 
true quality when forming a zone of represented flame of double 
the diameter of the distance betwixt the real flame and the 
rairror. 
If a candle be placed before a mirror, its flame will be repre- 
sented; and if a thousand mirrors are placed in a given circle 
round a candle, the candle will be represerted a thousand times, 
and each representation equal in brilliancy, if the mirrors are at 
equal distances from the flame. Suppose that the thousand 
mirrors were united in such a form as to bring all the repre- 
sented flames into one flame, of equal brilliancy with the real 
flame of the candle. For the same law of nature by which the 
flame is represented a thousand times in as many mirrors sa 
united, it would be represented in one flame if the mirror be made 
of a proper form, and placed in a proper position to receive the 
rays of light that emanate from the candle in the direction of 
the angle of this peculiar formed mirror. 
As the light of a small candle is visible at the distance of four 
miles in a dark night, what must the diameter or circumference 
of that zone of flame be that is produced by this discovery from 
one of the gas lights in the streets of London? Thus two lamps 
or stations would be sufficient to light the Iongest street, when 
its position approaches to a right line, as the diameter of the 
zone may be made of the same diameter as the street; and as. 
the rays of light that are increased by this invention diverge 
from the luminous body, all parts of the street would be filled 
with light. Many are the minor advantages that will be de- 
rived from its application to domestic purposes, for writing, 
yeading, and working by candle or lamp light. This, like Dr. 
Brewster’s kaleidoscope, is another instance of the effects to be 
produced by mirrors. 
* This invention is not confined solely to light, but the increase of heat 
keeps pace with the increase of light, and both in the ratio of the area of 
the surface. 
The apparatus is so constructed as to be placed upon a candle, and sinks 
down with the flame, without either flooding or waste. 
It 
