THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. 
35 
hood within, say, a mile radius, with both light and also with 
mechanical power for minor industrial purposes. The realisation 
of such a system involves the means of subdividing the electric 
current to a certain extent, a problem which offers no insuper- 
able difficulties when continuous currents are used instead of the 
reversing currents which have hitherto been mostly resorted to 
for street lighting.” 
The probable uses and applications of the electric light are 
now becoming tolerably definite. It is clear that for extensive 
areas and large buildings it is of great beauty and value. To 
this employment of it there is, however, one drawback, namely, 
the intensity and apparent solidity of the shadows it throws. 
During the work below the level of the Thames in laying the 
foundations of the railway bridge at Blackfriars, it was for a 
time extensively used, with a view of continuing the work at 
night. But it was ultimately discontinued on account of the 
numerous accidents it entailed, from the workmen mistaking 
such shadows for the passage-boards leading to the bottom of the 
cofferdam, and endeavouring to wheel their loaded barrows upon 
them. If this difficulty, which arises chiefly from the great 
intensity and point-like character of the incandescent arc, be 
obviated by diffusing the light within a semi-transparent globe 
of opal glass, from 30 to 40 per cent, of the light is lost, and 
the effective cost of the light proportionally increased. 
Many further improvements seem likely to be effected before 
long. Besides the threatened discovery of Mr. Edison, which 
appears to be taking a practical form, the Sun Electric Light 
Company, who lately addressed a communication to the Metro- 
politan Board of Works, have acquired certain patents, among 
the more remarkable of which is one for the manufacture of 
flexible carbon. The value of flexibility for a carbon electrode 
is obvious. If a strip of carbon can be wound and unwound like 
a piece of india-rubber, or with some fair approximation to that 
degree of pliancy, facilities are afforded for stowing away a long 
length of carbon in a small space under the electric lamp, thereby 
providing for a combustion which shall last a considerable time. 
How far this end is attained remains yet to be seen, and the 
I Company have other patent lamps besides those in which the 
flexible carbon is to be employed. The Company have entered 
I into arrangements for a trial of the electric light at the Crystal 
Palace. A 1 2-horse power steam-engine by Buston and Proctor 
will be provided by the Crystal Palace Company, and a shed for 
its reception will be erected at the main entrance to the building, 
opposite the high level station. A Gramme machine to generate 
the current will also be placed at this spot, and the arrival of 
the machine from Paris is expected daily. The machine will be 
a small one, and is reckoned to require only -horse power to 
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