30 On the Construction of Buildings 
rious products of combustion before enumerated. Moreover, by 
their injudicious position and arrangement, these lights have often 
a powerfully disturbing effect upon that state of quiescence in 
the air of an apartment which we have found so essential for the 
exact appreciation of sound. From this cause the foot-lights in 
front of the stage are inconvenient and objectionable, as the 
waving stream of hot air above them induces an amount of rare- 
faction, which impairs alike the sound and the distinctness of 
vision. A similar influence, as respects those seated behind them, 
has the row of gas burners so commonly affixed to gallery fronts 
and balconies. Chandeliers, pendent from the roof, however 
beautiful to the eye, are also offenses to the ear, which a rigid re- 
gard for acoustic excellence in a room would prohibit. Per- 
extreme of consideration, in this respect, amounting 
almost to fastidiousness, is to be found in Dr. Reid’s exclusive 
system, as he calls it, which he proposed for lighting the new 
Houses of Parliament. Here the illuminating source was en- 
tirely outside the space to be lighted, the light being diffused 
from pendants in the ceiling, or passing down through a cornice 
of glass which extended all round the room. Commenting on 
this plan, in the volume before alluded to, he remarks: 
“Tt will be obvious, that in some buildings, few lights would be more 
practically useful and agreeable than a series of gothic pendants with 
illuminated drops, appearing like stars diffused over the ceiling.” 
the material shapes with which he would form and limit its 
bounds. 
At this stage of our subject, there still remain a few points for 
consideration, which have a bearing upon the complete result. 
oe 
5 
