172 THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. 



complished, and what the considerations of ex- 

 pense and other matters may be, I cannot tell. 

 I am only here to tell you as a philosopher, how 

 far the results have been carried, but I do hope 

 that the authorities will find it a proper thing 

 to carry out in full. If it cannot be introduced 

 at all the lighthouses, if it can only be used at 

 one, why really it will be an honour to the 

 nation which can originate such an improvement 

 as this, one which must of necessity be fol- 

 lowed by other nations. 



You may ask, what is the use of this bright 

 light ? It would not be useful to us were it 

 not for the constant changes which are taking 

 place in the atmosphere, which is never pure. 

 Even when we can see the stars clearly on a 

 bright night it is not a pure atmosphere. The 

 light of a lighthouse, more than any other, is 

 liable to be dimmed by vapours and fogs, and 

 where we most want this great power, is not in 

 the finest condition of the atmosphere, but 

 when the mariner is in danger, when the sleet 

 and rain are falling, and the fogs arise, and the 

 winds are blowing, and he is nearing coasts 

 where the water is shallow and abounds with 

 rocks then is his time of danger, when he 



