THE ELECTRIC LIGHT 447 



the decomposition of water by a powerful magneto-electric 

 machine constructed by M. Nollet, the oxygen and hy- 

 drogen necessary for the lime light. The experiment 

 failed, but the apparatus by which it was attempted sug- 

 gested to Mr. Holmes other and more hopeful applica- 

 tions. Abandoning the attempt to produce the lime light, 

 with persevering skill Holmes continued to improve the 

 apparatus and to augment its power, until it was finally 

 able to yield a magneto-electric light comparable to that 

 of the voltaic battery. Judged by later knowledge, this 

 first machine would be considered cumbrous and defective 

 in the extreme; but judged by the light of antecedent 

 events, it marked a great step forward. 



Faraday was profoundly interested in the growth of his 

 own discovery. The Elder Brethren of the Trinity House 

 had had the wisdom to make him their "Scientific Ad- 

 viser"; and it is interesting to notice in his reports regard- 

 ing the light, the mixture of enthusiasm and caution which 

 characterized him. Enthusiasm was with him a motive 

 power, guided and controlled by a disciplined judgment. 

 He rode it as a charger, holding it in by a strong rein. 

 While dealing with Holmes, he states the case of the light 

 pro and con. He checks the ardor of the inventor, and, 

 as regards cost, rejecting sanguine estimates, he insists 

 over and over again on the necessity of continued experi- 

 ment for the solution of this important question. His 

 matured opinion was, however, strongly in favor of the 

 light. With reference to an experiment made at the South 

 Foreland on the 20th of April, 1859, he thus expresses 

 himself: "The beauty of the light was wonderful. At 

 a mile off, the apparent streams of light issuing from the 

 lantern were twice as long as those from the lower light- 



