LANTERNS AND THEIR MANIPULATION in 



lighter and more compact than two separate bodies, and it 

 can now be had at all prices, from plain japanned iron body 

 and fronts, or wooden lined body and japanned fronts, to highly 

 finished brass fronts. But as a great deal of money is often 

 wasted on such instruments, a few words may be useful con- 

 cerning what is worth paying for and what is not, which will 

 apply to the tri-unial lantern in even greater degree. I have 

 known a sum nearer 150/. than 100/. paid for a triple lantern 

 and apparatus, nearly half of which was absolutely thrown 

 away as regards any useful object, whilst the brass-work 

 did not fit ! 



First of all, it is safest to avoid all apparatus distinguished 

 by pretentious names or high-sounding adjectives, in any 

 language ; choosing such as is made and sold by opticians of 

 real standing, simply on their own reputation and guarantee. 

 Of such there are no lack, and I have invariably found such 

 apparatus cheaper, as well as more satisfactory. I do not 

 say there are no exceptions to this rule, since even good 

 houses may be led away in this advertising age ; but upon 

 the whole it will be much the safest to follow it. 



In the next place, lanterns should be avoided which have 

 a multitude of ornamental mouldings or inlaid work about 

 their wooden bodies. This is not only useless, but worse 

 than useless. It adds weight, and the heat in the lantern 

 will sooner or later find out weak spots in it, and make the 

 mouldings warp and twist ; that is, if the apparatus be at all 

 regularly used. A simple body, of good sound plain mahogany 

 or other wood that can be depended upon not to warp, should 

 be chosen, and really looks better, besides being cheaper, than 

 tawdry ornament, which is out of place. On the other hand 

 good fitting and finish about the doors, their sight-holes, the 

 lining, &c., should be looked for. But especially the brass- 

 work should be examined for good sound workmanship. By 

 this is meant not lacquer and polish, but that the sliding 

 parts fit nicely and yet smoothly ; the rack-work acts 



