72 On Artificial Light. [February, 
most given to late hours. It is singular that among the 
points which the advocates of thrift systematically overlook 
the excessive outlay for artificial light should be included. 
Would we, or could we, once more make noon the middle of 
the day we should compass an annual economy of some 
millions sterling. 
As regards the modes of production, artificial light has 
undergone changes no less striking than those which have 
affeCted its quantity, and to these it may be useful to advert, 
in view of the still further revolution which is, so to speak, 
at our very doors. A hundred years ago the art of lighting 
up private houses, public buildings, and streets had made 
but doubtful progress since the days of the Caesars. In the 
majoiity of houses a single candle, made of soft tallow and 
requiring frequent snuffing, was the only light in a sitting- 
room. People in good circumstances used the “ mould,” 
made of a purified tallow and having a better appearance, 
though not giving a more powerful light, and needing the 
use of the snuffers. To have two such candles on the table 
was thought, even in the first quarter of the present century, 
a proof either of wealth or of extravagance. Among per- 
sons of high station wax candles were in use on especial 
occasions, and were carefully extinguished when no longer 
needed. 
Lamps were never in former days as much used in England 
as on the Continent. They were generally confined to work- 
shops, warehouses, passages, stables, &c., where a candle 
might be extinguished or made to “ run ” by the force of the 
wind. In such localities they were commonly, like the 
street-lamps, fed with whale- or seal-oil, and gave out a very 
unpleasant smell. 
An important part in open-air lighting was played by 
torches or links, objects which have now disappeared from 
daily — or rather nightly — life, but which undergo a tempo- 
rary resurrection in times of dense fog. As a curious sur- 
vival may be noticed the gigantic extinguishers still to be 
seen attached to the front gates of some mansions in London. 
Into these, when the occupants of the carriage had alighted, 
the footmen thrust their torches. 
The first great change in artificial light was the common 
introduction of gas. This invention, after having survived 
alike the usual opposition which every novelty has to en- 
counter and the somewhat exaggerated praises of its 
admirers, has been found lacking in not a few points of im- 
portance. We are told, with technical truth, that gas is 
cheaper as a source of light than oil, tallow, &c. But there 
