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17 



the following exmRt from a communication by Walter 

 B. Woodbury to the Manchester Photographic Society, and 

 published in the British Journal of Photography, March 1, 

 1878, page 98, under the heading of 



The Modern Magic Lantern. 



This instrument still best known by its old, unscientific 

 title has, I think, in no part of the world been more used 

 and experimented upon than in my own native town of 

 Manchester, and therefore I consider it the most fit place to 

 make a few remarks on those in present use. In order that 

 all honor be given to the person to whose researches we owe 

 our present compact and powerful oil lanterns, I wish it to 

 be more widely known that the honor belongs to Mr. Marcy, 

 of Philadelphia, who spent many years in working out and 

 completing what he very appropriately named the Sciop- 

 ticon. 



The instrument itself requires no description to members 

 of this Society, as I believe they nearly all possess one 

 its. chief features, as you know, being a narrow double 

 flame, placed edgeways to the condenser, and its very 

 compact body, which does not much exceed the latter in 

 diameter. 



Now, next to inventing something useful myself, there is 

 nothing gives me more pleasure than to introduce a foreign 

 invention which I think may prove of use to my fellow- 

 countrymen; therefore, when in America some six years 

 ago, and seeing the advantages of Marcy 's invention over 

 the clumsy ill-lit things we were using, I determined to in- 

 troduce it into this country on my return, and arranged 

 with Mr. Marcy accordingly. 



As I expected, the instrument became a great favorite 

 with the scientific public, and no greater proof of its value 



