DOMESTIC ELECTRIC LIGHTING. 271 



We need not dwell upon the construction of the " pumping station," 

 for that is virtually what the magneto-electric generator is. Several of these 

 stations can be established in various parts of the city, and each station will 

 supply a district with electricity. The wires are laid in a tight box along 

 the street, beneath the footpath, or other convenient position, and we are 

 informed that the frost rather improves their electrical condition. Here is 

 one advantage over gas. 



From the main wires smaller ones enter the houses, and are carried 

 through a " meter " containing a safety valve. There are two wires a 

 distributing wire and a waste coloured, one red and the other green, which 

 communicate respectively with the main supply and return wires to the 

 " pumping station" or generator. The electricity is admitted between 

 carbon points and flows round a magnet, the armature of which is held above 

 it by a spring. If too much force be put on and any danger incurred, the 

 magnet will attract the armature, and the current will cease. A snap con- 

 nected by a small wire will then be closed by the electricity, and melting 

 from the heat will cut off all the current. In ordinary circumstances the 

 electricity passes through regulators (wire wound on spools) and on to a copper 

 plate, " through a solution of copper salt." Thus for every unit of current 

 a certain quantity of copper is deposited. A certain standard amount 

 represents five cubic feet, and the bills, based on the accumulation of copper, 

 are made out like gas bills. 



When the lamp is required a small handle is turned, and is instantly 

 lighted ; the reverse motion cuts off the current. " By touching a knob in 

 the bedroom the whole house can be simultaneously lighted up " if desirable. 

 No matches are necessary, as the lamps light themselves. 



By adding a small electro-motor to the furniture of the house, and 

 turning a handle, the sewing-machine can be worked by electricity, or lathes 

 turned ; and any business operations, such as lifting by cranes, etc., can be 

 easily carried on. 



The Swan electric lamps, which, with Mr. Edison's, were exhibited in 

 Paris, and will be found at Sydenham, give about twelve candle-power light. 

 Edison's lamps are made in two sizes, and vary accordingly. The Swan 

 lamps give a very soft light, and are as easily manipulated as Edison's. The 

 Siemens system of lighting was also well seen in Paris, and the Faure storage 

 system enables our trains to be lighted instantaneously by simply turning a 

 handle. A full description of the Faure battery was given in the Times by 

 Sir William Thomson, and in his address to the British Association at York 

 in September last. He pointed out that in the accumulators of M. Faure, 

 which can be seen at 446, West Strand, London, by means of a large 

 battery it is quite easy to draw off electricity and to apply it as Edison 

 proposed to do, in lighting our houses and do any little service. The 

 electricity thus stored would be always ready for use, and would be supplied 

 and paid for. It can be applied to any purpose, and locomotion by its 

 means will ere long become more general. In Paris Dr. Siemens exhibited 



