SLIDES, CARRIERS, AND EFFECTS 143 



with a series of circular racks so as to show the motion of all 

 the members of the solar system, which can be admirably 

 done. 



Holler slides have a small roller at the top and bottom, 

 over which some flexible material is drawn in one steady 

 direction by turning a handle. A black band pierced with 

 small holes gives a snow effect, care being taken that the 

 lantern showing the snow is not worked brighter than experi- 

 ence has proved to be best in effect. A transparent material 

 painted in lines and set rather diagonally, will give a rain or 

 hail storm. 



77. Dioramic Effects. Even this brief summary will be 

 sufficient key to the variety and realistic effects obtainable for 

 use with the lantern. Just as a suggestion and application, let 

 us enumerate what may be done with one single landscape, 

 with slides properly registered. It may be worth while to do 

 this ; because, with all the increase in instruments calculated to 

 produce it, there seems in the present day a general disregard 

 of that fine dioramic effect of which the lantern is capable, 

 and which I cannot but think would be appreciated were it 

 adequately represented to the public, as in the days of the old 

 Polytechnic. 



Let us suppose, then, an English landscape, with a wind- 

 mill, and mill-pond in front. It may be first thrown on the 

 screen in the fresh green of an English spring. Presently 

 the mill turns round, then the scene dissolves (without 

 appearing to change) into the warmer hues of autumn, and 

 one or two swans glide gently over the glassy lake. The 

 scene dissolves again into a tempestuous night, the sky 

 covered with clouds, and little light getting through from 

 the partly turned-down lantern. Flash after flash of lightning 

 breaks across the dark sky, followed by peals of thunder (pro- 

 duced by shaking a square of sheet-iron), and finally a 'rain- 

 slide ' is thrown on the scene, the sound of the storm being 

 well represented by pouring some barley into an appropriate 



