firmly locked in their teeth, so long* as they are compressed 
in the wick pipe. 
It must be apparent from this description, that it is only 
necessary to place the end of the new wick in the situation 
of the old one, and then cause the lever to return by means 
of the racket, into this wick pipe. This completes the ope¬ 
ration, for the hooks being obliged to approach one another 
in order to re-enter the wick pipe, will seize firmly on the 
wick and draw it down with them. 
The utility of this invention must be evident, 'since in 
addition to the above advantages, it permits us to extin¬ 
guish the lamp so as not to cause any disagreeable smell. 
I have observed that among the various kinds of wicks, 
I preferred a flat one for common use, but it is also necessa¬ 
ry to mention, that this is not the ( kind calculated to burn 
with the most brilliant flame. To those who desire per¬ 
fection in a lamp, and are regardless of the expense, I re¬ 
commend a wick composed of three small twists of cotton, 
well rounded and two lines in diameter. They should be 
made stiff and hard by dipping them in melted wax and then 
tied at the bottom, and made to pass together into the wick 
pipe. 
The air being confined and directed by the lamp glass, 
diffuses itself among these lighted strings and nourishes 
the flame, so as to give it an admirable whiteness and 
brilliancy. Any smoke may be prevented by raising the 
wick. I can truly say, that I never witnessed a more bril¬ 
liant flame than that produced by a lamp adjusted in this 
manner, provided the lamp glass has been properly pro¬ 
portioned Jo the wick hole. 
Another kind of wick may also be used, composed of 
two flat ones, attached together and placed in a peculiar 
wick hole, so as to form a cross at right angles. This 
variety furnishes a very brilliant light in large quantity, and 
on the whole is probably the best. It is well fitted for an 
occasional watch light, since in cutting its four parts which 
