SCREENS AND LANTERN ACCESSORIES 135 



not cut out of the wood, but formed by guide-strips fastened 

 on. On each edge of each end-piece is fixed a strip of brass 

 pierced with holes, by which the lid L can be secured at any 

 required height by the fastening screws F, which pass through 

 holes in the sides of the lower box. The lid of a box thus 

 constructed can be fixed at nearly double the height of the 

 box when closed, and this height is generally sufficient when 

 the box alone is elevated upon forms or chairs. 



At the back end of the lid of the box is hinged another 

 top board T, which can be secured at any necessary angle 

 by screws which act upon the brass sectors s. On this board 

 the lantern is placed. All boxes should be fitted with a hinged 

 double top of this kind, which saves time and trouble on 

 every occasion in tilting the lantern. 



With such a box as fig. 72 the lantern must be put in at 

 one end. In plain boxes it is usually put in and taken out 

 at the side. This should not open on fixed hinges, but have 

 ' catches ' at the bottom, fastening in at the top with a snap 

 sunk-ring latch, and lock and key. The object of this is that 

 the side may be taken entirely away and leave the box open. 



The internal arrangements will depend upon the apparatus, 

 and individual preferences. An optician in large business 

 usually has several people in his employ who are sent out to 

 give entertainments ; and each of these is often allowed to 

 have his own arrangements, which will differ considerably. 

 The main object is, of course, to pack away all the apparatus 

 conveniently, and every cabinet should have one drawer or 

 compartment for the lime -box, matches, screw eyes and hooks, 

 gas-nibs, gas-pliers, and any other odds and ends which 

 should be always at hand. Another will be needed for the 

 lamp, and another for the tubing, unless this is packed in 

 the lanterns. The slide-box, on the whole, is better carried 

 separately : but if a sheet is used it is much better in the box 

 if possible. One case I have seen was arranged as a large 

 square shallow box, the open side (when in position) taking 



