THE BOOK OF THE LANTERN. 251 



effect, but it is distracting to the audience. Moreover, the 

 pictures suffer, for they compare disadvantageously 

 with the far brighter white disc by which they are 

 alternated. 



I can recommend two forms of carrier which obviate 

 this difficulty. The first is a grooved frame, open at either 

 side, with a travelling tape in the lower groove, which is 

 put in motion by a winch handle. The slides move 

 through the lantern one after another, like a panorama, 

 but care must be taken that they are not allowed to fall 

 out and get broken as their time for exhibition expires. 

 The other form which I recommend is quite different in 

 principle, and of the two methods I prefer it. In this 

 latter carrier there is a kind of central frame which 

 is accurately adjusted to the lantern stage. Within it, 

 and moving freely from right to left, is a double carrier, 

 holding two pictures side by side. While one picture 

 is being shown, the other is being changed, the right 

 and left hand carrier being used alternately. The sole 

 objection to this form of carrier is the necessity for 

 the exhibitor to reach over his lantern so as to change 

 every other picture, which is a slightly awkward thing to 

 perform. 



A modification of this sliding principle, which consists 

 of a double changing stage, working vertically, has been 

 introduced, but I fancy that the lantern must be con- 

 structed purposely for it. I mean that it is not sold as an 

 independent carrier, which can be fitted to any existing 

 lantern. This consideration, of course, greatly limits its 

 adoption. 



