j6 On Artificial Light. [February, 
it is of immense value and utility, is still not all that we 
could wish for. 
There is, therefore, room for the improved system of 
lighting which is just being introduced — the electric light, 
in its two forms of the “ arc ” and the “ glow ” lights. 
Being neither an inventor in this department nor a share- 
holder or official in any eledtric light company, I may, it is 
to be hoped, be recognised as impartial when I pronounce 
this system to be “ the light of the future.” 
Its advantages over gas and oil lamps are the following : — 
There is an absence of products of combustion mingling 
with and deteriorating the atmosphere. Most of the eledtric 
lights are enclosed in hermetically sealed globes. There is 
no consumption of oxygen, no escape of sulphurous or car- 
bonic acid, ethylene, or other produdt of combustion. The 
ceilings are not blackened ; books, &c., are not corroded, 
and respiration is not interfered with. Pradtically no heat 
is liberated, so that the upper part of the room is not hotter 
than the floor. The feeling in such a room, however bril- 
liantly lighted, is the same as in the daytime. 
The colour of the eledtric light, though not absolutely 
identical with that of sunlight, makes a nearer approach than 
that of any artificial light hitherto used. With the arc light 
colours can be judged and compared as in the daytime — a 
property which during the short dull days of winter will be 
of great use in dye-, print-, and colour-works. 
A notion prevails that the arc light is more blue than day- 
light. This is, according to the best authorities, an error, 
since if the two are adtually compared the arc light is deci- 
dedly the yellower of the two. But being much less yellow 
than gaslight, or than other artificial lights with which it 
might come in contrast, it seems slightly bluish. Hence it 
is in some quarters evil-spoken of, because it shows up arti- 
ficial complexions and textile goods of inferior colours. I 
have heard that certain drapers of the modern encroaching 
school, who had introduced this light into their shops, have 
found it disadvantageous, as revealing unpleasant truths. 
The glow light or incandescence light approaches gas 
more closely in its colour, and hence may be preferred by 
those whose eyes have got accustomed to a yellow light. 
The expense of the eledtric light varies very considerably 
according to the locality. Where a constant source of 
moving power exists near at hand, such as a stream of 
water, light may be obtained for merely the interest on the 
first cost, the depreciation and the carbons consumed, — in all 
a mere fraction of the expense of a much inferior quantity of 
