.s/A- \\-ll.l.L\M .SVAM/A'.Y.V, l-.R.S. 191 



hibiti (1 was about 70, and the cost of the lamp was L'l.".. 

 The estimate, however, did not include the conductor, the value 

 >f \\hichwouldvary with the length, but it would not form a 

 material part of the total expense. 



.)//. II'. //. llarlow (Vice-President) inquired whether by, what 

 was called, the electric candle greater steadiness of light was 

 obtainable, and if so, whether it was accompanied by any dis- 

 advantages ? 



Dr. Siemens replied that this inquiry had reminded him of an 

 omission of the authors in not mentioning the attempt made to 

 modify the electric light in such a way that it assumed the form 

 of a candle. Mr. Jabloschkoff, a Russian gentleman, had over- 

 come the difficulty of approaching the two carbons from end to 

 end mechanically, by placing them parallel to one another, with 

 an intervening layer of kaolin, or of ordinary plaster of Paris. By 

 placing them in that way, the points were ignited and consumed 

 one with the other, and as they were consumed they could still 

 maintain their absolute position in space. There was, however, 

 one inconvenience inseparable from that mode of arranging the 

 carbons, namely, that the current must continually change from 

 right to left, and from left to right, otherwise the carbon on one 

 side would be consumed at the expense of the other. In order to 

 burn both sides equally, the current had to change continually, 

 and that mode of working with a reversed current was less 

 economical than working with a continuous current. Whether, 

 notwithstanding that drawback, the electric candles would come 

 into general use remained to be seen. The mode of lighting 

 which had been exhibited was due to a suggestion by the Duke 

 of Sutherland. He had stated to the Duke that the difficulty 

 with regard to the introduction of electric lights was to prevent 

 the glare, and his Grace said, " Why not throw the light up to 

 the ceiling ? " The method exhibited was the result of that 

 suggestion, and he believed it was an exceedingly good way out of 

 the difficulty. 



Dii. SIEMENS said he had been quoted against himself, and he 

 had certainly ventured to express the opinion referred to, because 

 he had at that time made a few observations upon the electric 

 light then established at the South Foreland ; and in observing it 



