ADVANTAGES OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. 167 



You see, therefore, how we are able, by using 

 this electric spark, to get, first of all, the light 

 into a very small space. That oil lamp 

 has a burner 3f inches in diameter ; compare 

 the size of the flame with the space occupied by 

 this electric light. Next compare the intensity 

 of this light with any other; if I take this 

 candle and place it by the side, I actually seem 

 to put out the candle. We are thus able to 

 get a light which, while it surpasses all others 

 in brilliancy, is at the same time not too large, 

 for I might put this light into an apparatus not 

 larger than a hat, and yet I could count upon 

 the rays being useful. Moreover, when such 

 large burners are used in a lantern, we have to 

 consider whether the bars of the window do not 

 interfere to throw a shadow or otherwise ; but 

 with this light there will be no difficulty of that 

 sort, as a single small speculum no larger than 

 a hat will send it in any direction we please ; 

 and it is wonderful what advantages, by reason 

 of its small bulk, we have in the consideration 

 of the different kinds of apparatus required, re- 

 flecting or refracting, irrespective of other reasons 

 for using the electric light. And it is these 

 kind of things which make us decide most 



H 4 



