SEPTEMBER 6, 1889.]

10900. "An improved electric alarm for varying levels and pressures." A. SIEGMANN. Dated July 27. 6d. As the level of of the water rises, or the pressure of the steam increases, an index pointer, in its movement over the dial plate, comes in contact with a non-oxidisable metal plate, closes an electrical circuit, causing an electric bell to ring. 1 claim.

13402. "Improvements in the construction of secondary batteries." S. A. VARLEY. Dated September 17. 8d. Claims:-1. Producing a block of lead or a suitable alloy of lead metallically united in one solid mass, but at the same time intimately mixed throughout with oxide of lead or other matter, and having small interstices, and which can be afterwards sawn up into plates for the construction of secondary batteries, substantially as described. 2. Producing such blocks by placing them in an airtight chamber and subjecting them to pressure when the lead or a suitable alloy of lead is in a melting condition, substantially as described.

13615. 66 Improvements in or relating to cases for electrical batteries or cells." G. B. SATTERLEE. Dated September 20. 8d. The inventor constructs the case in the form of a cylindrical tube, preferably of hard rubber or ebonite of proper thickness in proportion to its diameter, and he makes the bottom thick enough to hold well and firmly the terminal of one of the elements which is inserted tightly through the bottom, to give an exterior connection to that element, while the element is firmly held and supported by said terminal and the bottom of the case. He constructs a circular cover or head of the same material, the top of which is of a diameter a little less than that of the outer periphery of the case, but the lower part is cut away sufficiently to fit tightly in the mouth of the case, leaving a shoulder on the cover, and thus forming a flat circular stopper which fits into the mouth of the case. This cover is sufficiently thick to receive and hold, fitted tightly through it, the terminal of the other element, thus supporting that element and giving an exterior connection to the terminal. 4 claims.

13621. Improvements in electric meters." S. Z. DE FERRANTI. Dated September 20. 8d. Relates more especially to the class of alternate current meters in which an unwound magnetic armature is employed, and is magnetised by coils so as to produce diametrically opposite poles, and in which the armature so magnetised is contained in a magnetic field induced by other coils, from which arrangements movement results. In such meters it has been usual for the armature to be a light disc of iron in one piece, but so constructed the meters do not perform well. The inventor obtains much better results by using a heavier armature, built up in layers or of laminæ, insulated the one from the other. In order to lessen the friction on the pivot which otherwise would result from the increase of mass, he partially floats the armature in a liquid. 7 claims.

17123. "Improvements in apparatus for electrically regulating or synchronising clocks." C. A. MAYRHOFER. Dated November 24. 8d. Relates to a device by means of which any number of clocks can be regulated from a central station by electromechanical means. To form the electrical connection, any existing network of electrical lines or conductors, such as telegraphic or telephonic, or fire alarm signal circuits, or the like, may be used. The central station is provided with an apparatus suitable for transmitting an electrical impulse simultaneously to a large number of circuits. 5 claims.

1889.

135. Improvements in the arrangements for lighting and, or braking railway vehicles electrically." I. A. TIMMIS. Dated January 3. 8d. The objects of the invention are:-(1) To economise the electric current. (2) To make the lighting automatic on the breaking away of a vehicle. (3) To make the breaking automatic on the breaking away of a vehicle. (4) To keep both lighting and braking under the control of the guard or authorised official. 5 claims.

238. "Improvements in alternate current dynamo-electric machines." J. D. GIBBS and E. FESQUET. Dated January 5.

277

8d. The electro or field magnet consists of a coil wound on a mass of soft iron carried by a spindle, which is rotated and provided with means (such as brushes bearing upon collars on the spindle) At each end of this core for conducting the current to the coil.

is formed or fixed a flange or collar having pole pieces which extend over the coil parallel with the spindle to, or nearly to, the full width of the coil, the pole pieces of the flange or collar at one end of the coil being situated between the pole pieces of the flange or collar at the other end of the coil with a clearance between them, the poles of opposite denominations thus alternating with each other around the coil. The spaces between the pole pieces may be filled in with a non-magnetic or insulating material to constitute a continuous outside surface. The armature is preferably built up of thin sheets or plates of iron, insulated from each other, and with inward projections (corresponding in number to the pole pieces of the field magnet) on which are wound the coils for the induced current or currents, which coils are connected up in any desired manner, according to the resulting induced current or currents required to be produced. The plates can be connected together, and to a suitable frame, by insulated bolts. 3 claims.

1118.

"Improvements in apparatus for automatically switching loop circuits out of or into the main electric circuits." E. A. SPERRY. Dated January 22. 8d. Employs the differential action of ingoing and outgoing currents to change the line connectors to a new loop circuit. 9 claims.

2080. "Improvements in and relating to electrical apparatus for medical purposes." H. H. LAKE. (Communicated from abroad by L. T. Stanley, of Brooklyn.) Dated February 5. 8d. The object of this invention is to combine in a small compass and portable form an induction coil, a galvanic battery, and suitable electrodes for applying the current to any desired part of the human body. 10 claims.

2480. Improvements in and relating to apparatus for measuring electric currents." H. H. LAKE. (Communicated from abroad by H. H. Cutler, of America.) Dated February 12. 18. 1d. The device employed for indicating the quantity of current consists essentially of two wires substantially similar to one another in diameter, length and material, and subjected to equal tension in the direction of their length, one of which wires is traversed by the current to be measured, and is thus heated and is caused to expand by the current flowing through it, the amount of said expansion varying with the amount of the current. 7 claims.

3808. "Improvements in electric signals for indicating the direction and speed of revolution of engine shafts." J. C. RICKETSON. Dated March 5. 8d. Is, in part, an improvement on the devices set forth in patent No. 16,742, December 6th, 1887. 2 claims.

5084. "C Improvements in electric clocks with synchronising mechanism." "A. J. BOULT. (A communication from R. Pouchard, of Paris.) Dated March 23. 8d. Relates to electric clocks by means of which all clocks included in the same electric circuit can be synchronised. 4 claims.

5737. "Improvements in holders for electric glow lamps." A. BERNSTEIN. Dated April 3. 8d. Claims:-1. A holder for glow lamps in series, comprising a switch piece, which, when no lamp is in the holder, is adapted to form a short circuit for the current, and which, when a lamp is in the holder, serves to cause the current to pass through such lamp, and prevents the removal of the same until the current has been again short circuited, substantially as described. 2. The manufacture and use of the improved lamp-holder, described and illustrated in the drawing.

6065. "Improvements in and relating to electric motors." H. H. LAKE. (Communicated from abroad by Prof. Elihu Thomson, of America.) Dated April 9. 8d. Consists of improvements more particularly in that class of alternating current motors in which the armature is wound with a coil or coils short-circuited or connected into a closed local circuit, and is placed within the inductive action of a field magnet whose poles are made first north and then south by the effect of alternating currents derived from any source. In this general class of motors the reaction set up between the induced currents in the armature (which currents have a lag or retardation owing to their self-induction) and the field produces continuous rotation by repulsive action. The communicator has discovered, however, that when the armature coils are kept on continually closed circuit, and a single set of energising coils only is employed, supplied by a single alternating current, that effective rotation may nevertheless be produced if the armature be brought up to a certain speed. Briefly the said invention consists in the combination of a set of energising coils supplied with an alternating current of substantially the same phase in all coils, and a set of coils inductively related to the first and kept in continually closed, preferably uncommuted circuit while the motor is running, one or the other or both sets or system of coils being movable as in ordinary electric motors. 15 claims.

attracted by the core of the magnet wound with wire, included in or taken as a shunt from the circuit to be governed, to actuate a tumbler or kicker so that the said tumbler or kicker, being overbalanced, falls over and acts on the bridge or contact makers to quickly and with certainty remove them from the mercury cups or contacts. 2 claims.

6622. "Improvements in electrical switches, fuses, cut-outs, ceiling roses, lampholders, and the like." F. G. HOWARD, J. APPLETON, W. T. BURBEY, and A. E. WILLIAMSON. Dated April 18. 4d. Claim:-Covering or enveloping cases or covers of electrical switches, fuses, cut-outs, ceiling roses, lampholders, and the like, made of china, earthenware, or other suitable material, with metal cases for decorative and other purposes, substantially as described.

6680. 66 Improvements in electric railways." G. E. VAUGHAN. (Communicated from abroad by S. Trott, of Halifax, Nova Scotia.) Dated May 4. 8d. Consists in mounting and connecting the conductors in grooves in the upper part of insulators, which are preferably formed of glass or porcelain, and are similar in construction to ordinary telegraph pole insulators-that is to say, their under surfaces are concaved. The said insulators are carried by vertical pins or screws, which are fixed in the bottom of the conduit when employed, or in any other base or support. 5 claims.

6804. Improvements in telephone transmitters." W. R. LAKE. (Communicated from abroad by J. Straton, of Canada.) Dated April 23. 8d. Relates especially to that class of telephone transinitters which are provided with pivoted electrodes, and it consists in certain novel features, the object being to produce a simpler, cheaper, and more effective device of this character than is now in ordinary use. 9 claims.

6854. 66 Improvements in means connected with electrically lighting trains, sections of railway tracks, stations en route, and signals, all from a single source of energy in a train, and in the distribution of electricity to stationary motors, storage batteries, and the like." H. W. LEONARD. Ďated April 24. 8d. The lights are so arranged along the track and on the wires that they are extinguished and lighted in succession, and the ventilating and signalling for the train can be done from the same generator. 39 claims.

7002. "Improvements in electric secondary or storage batteries." T. H. HICKS. Dated April 26. 6d. Claims-1. A secondary or storage battery consisting of a series of elements having tight cells containing the electrolyte formed between them, by means of insulating material forming the bottom and sides of the cells, and insulating the plates from each other, substantially as described. 2. A secondary or storage battery consisting of elements or plates insulated from each other by insulating frames, clamped between the outer edges of the plates, and forming tight cells containing the electrolyte, substantially as described. 3. In a secondary battery, a series of elements insulated from each other and dividing the battery into tight cells, each element between two adjoining cells forming a positive pole in one cell and a negative pole in the adjoining cell, substantially as described. 4. A secondary or storage battery consisting of the elements or plates, the pole plates secured to the outer plates and carrying the binding posts, the frames of insulating material forming the sides and bottom of the cells between the plates, and the iron frames and clamping bolts all arranged substantially as described. 5. The herein described method of constructing secondary batteries, consisting of clamping frames of insulating material between the outer edges of the elements or plates, to form tight cells for containing an electrolyte and insulating_the elements from each other, substantially as described. 6. In a secondary battery, an element or plate provided upon its faces with troughs, filled on one side of the plate with oxide of lead and on the other with peroxide of lead, substantially as described.

7129. ""

Improvements in electric arc lamps." A. J. HOWES. Dated April 29. 6d. Claims:-1. An arc electric lamp wherein the regulation of the arc is effected by the action of a solenoid having its coil in the lamp circuit on an iron core attached to the upper carbon, operating in combination with a steadying brake, substantially as described. 2. In an arc lamp such as is referred to in the preceding claim, a steadying brake consisting of a nut with part of it non-magnetic screwed on the tube of the core, substantially as described. 3. In an arc lamp such as is above referred to a steadying brake consisting of an iron segment fixed on one side of the solenoid at its lower part, substantially as described. 4. In an arc lamp such as is above referred to, a steadying brake consisting of an iron segment supported from the solenoid core at height corresponding or nearly corresponding with that of the top of the core, substantially as described. 5. In an arc lamp such as is above referred to, a steadying brake consisting of a long solenoid core parallel to and moving with the operating core within the same solenoid coil, substantially as described.

7356. "Improvements in galvanic or primary batteries." C. MALTBY-NEWTON. Dated May 3. 6d. Consists principally in employing plates constructed or compounded of oxide of lead and syrup of sugar or molasses, formed upon an inner metal support as the positive pole of the battery, thus forming the positive pole and depolariser in one plate, together with a strong solution of caustic soda of 30 to 50 per cent. 1 claim.

7526.

[SEPTEMBER 6. 1889

"An automatic compensating feed electric arc lamp." A. U. ALCOCK and H. GALOPIN. Dated May 6. 8d. Claims:1. In an electric arc lamp; an automatic clutch feed device for regulating the descent of the upper carbon; constructed, arranged and operated substantially as described with reference to the drawings. 2. In an electric arc lamp; an automatic compensating balance for the upper carbon; constructed, arranged and operated substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

7597. "Dry galvanic cells." C. H. MEHNER. Dated May 7 4d. Claim:-The manufacture of dry cells, the employment of deliquescent oxy-chloride of magnesia, with or without the addition of sulphate of zinc, which mixture is in itself an excitant, for the purpose of transforming the exciting fluid used into a stif pasty or viscous mass, which has no flowing properties, substan tially as described.

7619. Improvements in and connected with electric batteries" W. J. STARKEY BARBER-STARKEY. Dated May 7. 6d. According to these improvements, the positive and the negative plates or electrodes are embedded in or surrounded and separated by a porous substance which is saturated with the solution of sulphuric acid or other electrolytic solution. It is preferred to employ cal cined calcium sulphate or plaster of Paris as a basis of the porous material, especially in the case of batteries in which a solution of sulphuric acid is employed as the electrolyte. The natural porosity of the plaster of Paris (when gauged and set) is increased for the purpose of this invention by the addition thereto of certain materials, such as crystals of salt soluble in water or in the electrolyte, and which are dissolved out of the plaster after it has set, salts which are decomposed by the electrolyte or by a suitable acid, and having as one of the products of the decomposition agai such as carbon dioxide; or by the addition of an insoluble fibrous or porous material, such as sawdust, pith, cork, asbestos, wool, hair, felt, pumice stone, and similar substances. 4 claims.

7645. Improvements in underground conduits for electrical conductors." G. W. COOK. Dated May 7. 8d. Claims:-1. In a conduit for electrical conductors, in combination with an outer conduit of an inner conduit or conduits of like paper tubes fitted one within the other, substantially as described. 2. A conduit for electrical purposes, consisting of a series of like paper_tubes saturated with paraffin and taper-jointed together. 3. In an underground conduit the combination of the following elements an outer casing or box of substantially rectangular shape, insulating cross bridges placed therein at intervals, an inner conduit or conduits consisting of paraffin, taper-jointed paper tubes supported upon said cross bridges, and an insulating water-proof compound filled into the outer conduit, substantially as described 4. The inner conduit consisting of a series of asbestos paper tubes, substantially as described. 5. An underground conduit for electrical conductors, consisting of tubes tapering from one end to the other, and adapted to be taper-jointed together, substantially as described.

7673. Improvements in electric wire insulators." A. W HEAVISIDE. Dated May 8. 6d. The inventor lets the insulator and bolt move at either end upon an axis or attachment to the arm of a pole or other support, whilst the wire is fastened to the other end, and by its tension pulls the insulator round so as to bring the wire to the same level as the axis. 2 claims.

8046. "Improvements in electrical fire alarms." H. E. NEWTON. (Communicated from abroad by W. Birchall, of Melbourne.) Dated May 14. 4d. Claims:-1. The completion of an electric circuit by the fusing of an alloy of metals as specified, and for the purposes set forth. 2. A metal chamber in electrical contact with one wire of an electric battery, but insulated from the second wire. or its attachment, and containing a metallic alloy, which, when fused, makes contact with the second wire, and closes an electric circuit, as specified, and for the purposes set forth.

8053. "Improvements in electrical signalling apparatus." 0. IMRAY. (Communicated from abroad by A. W. Jones, B. F. Jones, and E. L. Martin, all of America.) Dated May 14. 8d. In warfare, various means have been contrived for exploding torpedoes and mines at the exact time when their destructive power is greatest. The invention is especially applicable for this purpose, by connecting the conductor to the explosives through apparatus so arranged that any one of the explosives can be fired without affecting the others. 5 claims.

8360. "Improvements in apparatus relating to telephone systems." F.A. HOLCOMB. Dated May 20. 8d. Has for its object to provide devices whereby a subscriber can be notified that he has been called, and by whom the device by means of which this information is recorded being controlled by another subscriber or by an operator at the central office. 7 claims.

8619. "An improved electrical alarm for audibly indicating and announcing the varying water levels of steam boilers and the like." A. SIEGMANN. Dated May 23. 6d. Relates to a modification of Patent No. 13,974, of 14th October, 1887. I claim

SEPTEMBER 6, 1889.]

in which A is the chemical equivalent of the electricity. This being admitted, I thought that every modification in the physical condition of the surface of the cathode must influence the adherence of the electrolytic deposit, and consequently the energy, Q. In fact, I observed the changes of depending on this cause, as I have already said. Now, in the above equation another variable term enters; this is the energy, Q1, of the anode; it was therefore interesting, in order to verify the proposed explanation of the hindrance to the electrolysis, to try whether the physical condition of the anode also influences the value of. Experiment shows that the value of the antagonistic force, &, changes in accordance with what can be foreseen à priorithus, for example, by keeping in the system Pt, Cu, Cu SO,, the surface of the platinum cathode always the same, I determined = 0384 for the compact copper anode, and ɛ = 025 for the anode of crystalline electrolytic copper. Variations of the same order correspond to other cases in which is an antagonistic force.

We may also ask if the difference of potential ŋ applied to the electrodes in a system with compensated chemical work is smaller than the antagonistic force, , what will result?

There is no doubt that we shall observe the polarisation of the electrodes, but by what is it produced? Is it hydrogen alone that polarises the cathode, or is it also the metal of the electrolyte? The experiments that I have made show that the metal accumulates on the surface of the cathode. Generally, when the electrodes are polarised, the ions which accumulate upon their surfaces are not visible, because several physical agents tend to destroy the effect of this accumulation. Amongst these agents we may mention as the most important the dissolution of the ions by the electrolyte itself. This cause, which is so efficacious with gaseous ions, acts much less powerfully upon those consisting of solid bodies not easily soluble in the electrolyte. We may therefore hope in these cases that the electromotive force necessary to produce a visible electrolytic deposit will be a continuous function of the time that elapses between the closing of the current and the appearance of this deposit.

Let us take the system, Pt, Cu, Cu SO. The delay in the appearance of the copper upon the platinum becomes greater in proportion as we diminish the electromotive force applied to the electrodes. Thus, I have seen the deposit appear with ŋ = 028 at the end of half an hour; with 023 at the end of an hour; with 006 I had to wait more than 40 hours before I observed the appearance of the first particle of Copper (about a micron in diameter, which establishes the limit of power of the method I employ).

=

The influence of the physical condition of the electrodes in the slow formation of the accumulation of the cathion seems to be still more essential than in the

*These experiments were made at the laboratory of Physical Research at the Sorbonne.

Journal de Physique, 1879, p. 59.

279

immediate production of their deposit; the numbers quoted relate to the case in which the anode was of compact copper; with the anode of crystalline electrolytic copper the accumulation is produced much faster, and with n = 0025 I observed at the end of 40 hours

a deposit in a considerable stage of development. The system, Au, Zn, Zn, SO4, acts in the same manner. From what I have said, it follows that " a metal can be polarised by another metal."

CORRESPONDENCE.

Electric Traction.

Your readers ought to be very thankful to Mr. Harry Willis for reminding them "that this is a free country and for the suggestion that Mr. Frazer can please himself about answering a question Mr. Harry Willis put to him.

Perhaps Mr. Harry Willis will not object to answer the following questions, as a satisfactory reply thereto will sure to prove of interest to a number of your readers and the public, as the origin and development of the so-called Sandwell system is not altogether unknown to many persons in the electrical world.

1. What was the real cause of the breakdown of Sandwell's car in the Holloway Road? Was it due to an explosion in the truck? Did any of the lugs of the cells burn out? or, was it due to the cells becoming exhausted as has been stated by a person who was present on that memorable occasion ?

2. Was there a very great difficulty experienced in removing the car, &c., from the line which caused the horse-drawn cars to pull off because of the obstruction the breakdown caused?

3. Why was the car, &c., allowed to stand so long in an adjoining street before being dragged to its secluded spot in the Victor Road?

4. Has Mr. Harry Willis ever seen the illustrated description of a car and trolley in the ELECTRICAL REVIEW for April 13th, 1888. Does not this anticipate the so-called Sandwell system in its entirety?

If these questions are satisfactorily answered, I may perhaps ask Mr. Harry Willis a few more, because it is just as well that your readers and the public should know something of the Holloway failures as well as the little contretemps at Plaistow, as it will enable them, as Mr. Harry Willis remarks, "to satisfy themselves of the merits of the two systems."

5. If each of the relays in No. 1 were armed with a condenser as a shunt, what capacity would have to be given the latter to counterbalance the discharge from the relays?

6. If when a current of 20 milliampères passed through a relay, what would be the shunt capacity in No. 5 ?

7. What capacity would be required in the differential system of quadruplex working as shunt condenser on an aerial line of 800 miles of iron wire, having a per mile resistance of 10 ohms, and one of phosphor bronze, or American compound copper wire having a resistance of 5 ohms per mile, the working currents being 5 and 15 milliampères ?

[Answer 1. The magnetic inductive capacity in microfarads of a Siemens's relay wound to 500 ohms is 40 microfarads approximately, and of a similar relay wound to 1,000, 20 microfarads; these values, however, depend upon the position of the pole pieces of the relay, being increased if they are set closer together, and diminished if they are opened out. It is impossible to give the value of a non-polarised relay, as the varieties of these are legion. The way in which these values are arrived at is fully explained in an article on "The Measurement of Self Induction Coefficients," which appeared in the No. of the REVIEW for April 12th of the present year, page 410.

2. The inductive capacity of an electro-magnet depends directly upon the number of turns of wire in it, and inversely as the resistance of the same; the resistance (the total weight of wire being constant) varies as the square of the number of turns, hence the inductive capacity varies inversely as the resistance.

3. The inductive capacity varies inversely as the specific resistance of the metal (provided the latter is not a magnetic one like iron).

4. The greater the mass of iron in the cores (within a certain limit), the greater will be the inductive capacity. Strength of current has no influence on inductive capacity, provided the magnetism of the iron does not approach the saturation point.

5. See article in REVIEW referred to.

6. Strength of current makes no difference, provided saturation point is not approached.

7. For quadruplex working over an iron wire 800 miles long, having a resistance of 10 ohms per mile, a condenser of about 10 microfarads would be required; for a copper wire of the same length, and having a resistance of 5 ohms per mile, about 10 per cent. less condenser capacity would be necessary. Current strength makes no difference, as the saturation point is never even approached in telegraph working.

Care should be taken not to confuse the inductive capacity in microfarads of an electro-magnet with its coefficient of self induction; the latter is obtained by multiplying the inductive capacity in microforads by the square of the resistance, and dividing the result by 1,000,000; the difference between the two is fully explained in the article referred to.-EDS. ELEC. REV.]

Coad's Primary Battery.

Our client, Mr. T. Coad, has brought us your number of August 30th. Our client complains of an editorial note, which he feels is calculated to bring him into ridicule.

We think it will answer every purpose if we point out to you that you treat our client (whom you style

66

our old friend") in a very unfriendly and sarcastic manner, and that your paragraph may produce an unpleasant impression upon persons who may be better acquainted with the result of Mr. Coad's present efforts. We trust, therefore, to your sense of fairness (as we judge, and understand, that you have not made yourself acquainted with Mr. Coad's present work), that you should, in a subsequent issue of your valuable paper, correct any wrong impression that may have been onveyed.

We need hardly say that Mr. Coad would be only too

The Institution of Electrical Engineers.

In your issue of the 30th inst., you mention the experience of a well-known engineer with respect to a voting paper sent out by the secretary of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, allow me to state that my paper was treated exactly in the same manner, thereby causing me to lose my vote. Whether this has been the fate of all the papers, and we are to suppose it has, being contrary to regulations" or not, I think an explanation to all the members of the institution ought to have been issued by those responsible for the draughting of the circulars.

66

I have just read the paragraph in your last issue relating to the return through the Post Office of some of the replies to my circular in reference to the mode of electing the council. I have reason to believe that nearly all of those which were so returned have since been again kindly forwarded to me by the members from whom they emanated, and to each of whom I have written expressing my regret at the misunderstanding which has entailed this trouble on them.

I am glad of this opportunity of explaining that it was not until many of the replies (bearing a halfpenny stamp) had been delivered without any surcharge, that the letter-carrier coming from one particular post-office brought several marked, "Of the nature of a letter," and therefore requiring the payment of a penny on each. He was asked to take them back to the postoffice and keep them until I could make enquiries as to the correctness of the demand.

I called as soon as I could, and then found to my vexation and surprise that the circulars had been returned to their senders. I gave instructions at once that thenceforth the surcharge was to be paid whenever demanded. I should mention that during this time and, in fact, on nearly every day since-circular replies have been delivered from other post-offices without any demand for deficient postage. The circular is so similar in character to that in connection with the proposed dinner that I certainly never anticipated that it would be looked upon as of the nature of a letter, and I can plead as some excuse for my mistake that the postal officials appear to have differed in opinion among themselves on the matter.

Should this letter meet the eye of any members whose replies were returned to them by the Post Office, and who have not yet sent them on again to me, I beg that they will kindly do so.

Paris, September 3rd, 1889.

F. H. Webb, Secretary, I.E.E.

[We are pleased to have Mr. Webb's letter, which sufficiently explains his unfortunate mistake.-EDS. ELEC. REV.]

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND.

CONSIDERABLE surprise has been expressed that the electric light has not made more rapid progress in the larger towns of the South of England. In the first naval port, although residents are frequently reminded by the flashings of the search lights on the men-of-war in harbour and at Spithead, of the brilliancy and power of the new illuminant, scarcely anything has been yet accomplished towards placing the new light within reach of the public. It is true that while the great mobilised fleet was at anchor at Spithead, the Corporation spent a few pounds upon the illumination by electricity of the grand sea front, and enabled the inhabitants and visitors who flocked to the beach while the modern "leviathans were at anchor in the historic roadstead to contrast the bright and pure electric light with the yellow, flickering flame emitted from the gas lamps. But notwithstanding this practical illustration of the superiority of the electric light, there are no indications of an ardent desire on the part of the public men of Portsmouth to respond to what is really a popular demand for more and better light. One enterprising firm of brewers has introduced the electric light in a charmingly situate hotel, at the picturesque entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, and visitors with one accord profess themselves delighted with it. But up to the present time only two commercial establishments have adopted the light, and this for the very valid reason that facilities are not placed in their way. The fact is that "vested interests " exercise a potent influence, and an opinion prevails in Portsmouth that if the gas company were not so strongly represented in the County Council a different state of things would exist. A palatial Town Hall, which will cost considerably over £100,000, is now nearing completion. If a poll of the inhabitants could be taken there would, it is believed, be an overwhelming consensus of opinion in favour of lighting every nook and cranny of the vast

interior by electricity. The matter has been discussed both in committee and in the Council, but there is reason to believe that unless those who are unaffected by plethoric gas companies dividends are particularly wide awake, there will be only a partial and altogether inadequate electric light installatisn. Little information has recently been afforded the public respecting the action of the Committee on this important matter; but there are substantial reasons for the opinion that a bold and vigorous initiative on the part of the County Council, in reference to the lighting of their fine Hôtel de ville, would give a much-needed impetus to the introduction of the electric light into Portsmouth. The example of the municipal authorities would, in fact, be contagious, and those who are interested in piers, hotels, and other undertakings would speedily follow suit. All that is wanted is what is known as a "friendly lead," and in that case the trading community would not be slow to avail themselves of any facilities that were offered for substituting the electric light for gas, in respect to which, by the way, complaints were made at the council meeting last week. At Southampton, too, the electric light has not yet come within the domain of practical projects, although the shopkeepers, especially those residing in the noble High Street, the pride of the denizens of the "Liverpool of the South," would rejoice in a new departure. That rising watering place, Bournemouth, is now in the throes of a great agitation, anent a proposal to purchase the gas and water works, and one of the chief grounds of opposition is the possibility of enormous loss consequent upon the probable early advent of the electric light. Mr. G. J. Piercy writes :-"The new light has, until lately, been unfairly hampered by restrictive legislation, but now that this burden has been removed by a more enlightened and fair dealing Act, I contend that this is not the juncture at which the town should undertake so serious a risk, to say the least of it, of heavy eventual loss. It is said that in places where the electric light is adopted the gas consumption has been increased, but I am sure most people

B

+