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ignorant, or had wilfully perjured themselves, in which case they should be punished by subjecting them to the action of the powerful currents they claimed to have received. The medical profession look upon a faradic current of 300 volts potential, with a total energy of th of a horse-power, sufficient to cause vertigo, and, if continued for a few seconds, to cause paralysis of the brain; hence an electrical energy of 746 times as much has always, and will always, produce instantaneous death.

Presuming the published correspondence to be genuine, the judge who has to decide on the constitutionality of the new law for electrical executions can hardly be influenced by the alleged disclosures it advances, and we trust that his decision may be the last word we shall ever hear on the worn-out argument.

[SEPTEMBER 13, 1889.

for their reception in the base plate, and are then firmly shrunk into place. The pole pieces are of cast iron.

This disposition of magnet cores and pole pieces has been arrived at as the result of a good deal of experiment. The wrought iron core, cast pole piece and armature are represented, according to the present method of building the machines, by A, B and c', in fig. 2, the wrought iron being considerably cut into in boring out the polar cavity. But in the first designs of the Société the machines were made with pole pieces, B, fig. 3, wholly of cast iron, into which the wrought iron cores, A, did not enter. The pole pieces being not very massive, and cast iron having a high magnetic resistance, the effect of this disposition was to produce a very unsymmetrical field about the horizontal line, a, b, the distribution of the lines of force being pro

NOTES ON THE DYNAMOS AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

VII.

THE Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques, of Belfort, has probably the finest show of dynamos in the Exhibition. The normal type of machine shown in fig. 1 has a single horseshoe magnet and drum-wound armature, the largest exhibited being shunt-wound, and having an output of 60,000 watts at 330 revolutions per minute. The difference of potentials at the terminals of this machine is 120 volts, the current of 500 ampères being collected by four brushes one inch wide on each pole. The total weight is about 5 tons. The sections of the commutator are made of a very fine quality of iron, which has to undergo a certain degree of hardening, and there is no insulating material inserted in the spaces between them. The sections, as will be seen from our engraving, are overhung from one end being screwed to brass blocks, which terminate the ends of the armature coils. When they are all secured in place, they form a cylinder, having of necessity a clear space inside, so that no dust may lodge in the air insulating gaps and produce a short circuit. The field magnet cores are cylindrical bars of wrought iron, which pass right from

Jerside of the base plate to the top side of the 8. These cores are turned to fit holes bored

bably as shown by the dotted lines. This unequal distribution was revealed by the abnormal heat produced at the bearings, when the machines were running with their magnets fully excited, an effect found eventually to be entirely due to the attraction of the magnets on the armature. By removing the bearings and supporting the armature by spring balances, this attraction was actually measured, and was found to produce on each bearing in a machine of similar output to the one above-described a pressure of no less than 1,500 pounds. It is satisfactory to know that the mode of construction now adopted gives a pressure on the bearings when the magnets are excited equal only to the weight of the armature itself. It may be therefore assumed that the lines of force in fig. 2 flow into the armature almost, if not quite, parallel to the line, a, b. That the machines are very efficient is proved by the fact that the armature of the 60,000-watt dynamo is driven at its normal speed of 330 revolutions as a motor by a current of 10 ampères flowing through it, when the field is excited so as to produce the normal E.M.F. This means that in Foucault currents in the armature core and conductors, in friction of bearings and friction of brushes there is wasted when running between 1,100 and 1,200 watts.

Occupying a prominent position amongst the exhibits of the Société is a directly-driven six-pole shunt dynamo, of the Siemens and Halske type, with internal radial magnets and external ring armature. The

bearings for the crank shaft. The machine is well finished, and is in all respects a creditable piece of engineering. This praise is also merited by the numerous appliances for regulation which the Société exhibit, but which we are unable to notice here.

Messrs. Sautter, Lemonnier and Cie have an imposing exhibit of the projectors and lighthouse apparatus for which their house is justly celebrated. Several patterns of Gramme-wound dynamos are exhibited, amongst which is conspicuous an eight-pole machine coupled direct to a fast running engine. In this machine the field magnets are built round the armature by bolting rectangular wrought iron bars, W, fig. 4, to cast iron pole pieces, a ring magnet of octagonal shape being thus formed, of which part is shown. A magnetising coil is wound on each bar, "the poles being alternately N and S, while the armature coils are cross connected, so that the current may be collected by two sets of brushes.

FIG. 5.

Dynamos having four poles are also exhibited by this firm, but the standard type which we illustrate in fig. 5 has two poles only, being not unlike the Manchester pattern of machine. The pole pieces are of cast iron, while the magnet cores are rectangular bars of wrought iron. The armature cores are built up of sheet iron washers and Gramme wound. Two compound machines of this class are exhibited, giving outputs of 10,000 and 20,000 watts respectively. The first has an armature 500 mm. in diameter wound with 210 convolutions, connected up to a 70-part commutator. The normal speed is 800 revolutions per minute, the current being 100 ampères at a difference of potentials of 105 volts. The resistances are:-Armature 02 ohm; series wire 03 ohm; shunt wire 6 ohms. The machine giving 20,000 watts has an armature 600 mm. in diameter, which is wound in 90 convolutions connected to a commutator having an equal number of sections. The normal speed is 550 revolutions, and the current is 300 ampères at 70 volts difference of potentials. The resistances of this machine are: Armature 003 ohm ; series wire 004 ohm; shunt wire 14 ohms. (To be continued.)

parallel.

FIG. 4.

The brush holders are carried by a six-armed frame, which can be rotated to shift at once the angular position of all the brushes on the commutator, while by means of suitable gear they can also all be lifted off the commutator at the same time. The six radial magnets are of cast iron and are provided with pole pieces at their extremities. They are cast in one piece with a heavy central block which is bolted direct to the engine frame and bushed to form one of the

A Hope Deferred.-Financial News says:-"There is hope for travellers on the Southern railways. An Austrian railway official has invented a portable telephone for connecting a train, at any point at which it may stop, with the nearest station. If this were introduced into this country, business men who confide themselves for unknown periods of time to SouthEastern trains might be able to carry on their business during the hours of seclusion from the world entailed by such a journey."

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CASTLE MONA, ISLE OF MAN.

AN installation of an important character has recently been successfully completed in Douglas, Isle of Man, at the well-known pleasure resort of Castle Mona. The hotel and grounds of Castle Mona, one of the most prominent points in Douglas Bay, were during last winter purchased at a high price by a syndicate, and it was determined to make the picturesque grounds, by the addition of a large Pavilion, more attractive to the large number of visitors who throng the island. Dancing and music are the favourite amusements of this place, and a Pavilion for this purpose was erected near the hotel on a larger scale than those already in existence at other points.

The syndicate determined to have this large Pavilion and the extensive grounds well lighted by electricity, and tenders were invited. That of the Manchester Edison-Swan Company, Limited, as we announced at the time, was, ont of a large number, accepted. Some difficulty was experienced in carrying out the installation, in consequence of the Pavilion itself being in course of construction; but on the opening day sufficient progress had been made to allow of a large number of lights being used.

The installation is a mixed one of arc and incandescent lights, part of each being in the grounds, as well as in the Pavilion itself. There are in all 20 arc lamps of 3,000 candle-power each, and 500 incandescent 16 C.P. lamps.

In the engine-house, which has been specially erected for the accommodation of the engines and dynamos, there are fixed two 25-H.P. compound Robey engines, under-type, with locomotive multi-tubular boilers: these drive, by means of countershafting, two No. 5 compound-wound "Manchester" dynamos for incandescent lighting, each with an output of 100 volts, and capable of running 300 lamps at a speed of 800 revolutions per minute; and two No. 5 series-wound "Manchester" dynamos, each capable of an output of 600 volts and 20 ampères, at a speed of 1,100 revolutions per minute.

In case of breakdown of one engine, the countershafting is arranged with a special conpling, so as to permit of the right hand engine working the left-hand dynamo, and vice versa. There is a good reserve of power in the engines, either of them being capable of driving three of the dynamos, and four for a short time, if pressed.

Of the 500 incandescent lamps mentioned, 300 are arranged around the cornices of the Pavilion; these are placed on different circuits alternately, so that in the event of anything happening to one dynamo one half only of the lamps are affected. The remaining 200 lamps are placed in the grounds in groups or festoons round rustic arches, having an excellent effect.

Of the 20 arc lamps, seven are suspended in the Pavilion, and the remainder fixed ontside on latticed iron poles: the lamps inside the Pavilion are provided with a special ornamental corona, and suspended by their own conductors, which being arranged with. ounterbalance weights facilitates the raising and lowering. The arc lamps are placed in a manner similar to the incandescent, being fixed on alternate circuits.

The switchboard arrangement is very complete, there being double-pole switches on each circuit, and the connections are such that any change of circuit or dynamo or any combination can be easily and effectively carried out.

The whole of the arrangements have been devised by Mr. J. R. Williamson, M.I.E.E., the managing director of the Manchester Edison-Swan Company, who, assisted by his brother, Mr. A. F. Williamson, has given his personal attention and supervision to the work as it progressed, and enabled it, in spite of the many difficulties encountered, to be brought to a very complete and successful issue. The lighting of the Pavilion and the grounds of Castle Mona has given the greatest satisfaction, and rendered this latest place of amusement in Douglas a source of very great attraction.

[SEPTEMBER 13. 1889.

SUBMARINE CABLE SHARES.

THE following letter appeared in the Financial News yesterday:-"The notification of the restoration of the Anglo-American Company's French cable, which was interrupted last July in deep water, affords another proof of the ease with which submarine cables may be repaired, and should impart confidence to the shareholders as to the permanent character of their property.

"The Anglo-American Company is now paying its shareholders quarterly dividends of 23 per cent, although for the whole year it may possibly pay 3 per cent.; but as the stock is quoted at £53, and the return at this price is only a little over 5 per cent., no immediate improvement in the quotation may be expected.

"The other Atlantic cable company whose shares are dealt in on the London market is in a much better position than it was formerly. The Direct United States Company is paying quarterly dividends at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum. As the £20 shares can be bought at 103, an investor obtains about 6 per cent. on his money.

"A dividend of 12s. 6d. or 15s. per cent. on AngloAmerican stock, and of 3s. 6d. per share on Direct United States shares, will be payable next month.

"The Globe Telegraph and Trust Company will also declare a dividend in October. As this company's dividend for last year was 4 per cent. when the Atlantic Cable Companies, in whose capitals the Globe Trust is largely interested, were for a part of the time working at a sixpenny tariff, it may safely be estimated. that at least 5 or 54 per cent. will be paid for the current year, and at 8, the present price, an investor obtains over 6 per cent.

"The West Coast of America Telegraph shares at 103 are, perhaps, the cheapest in the market. This company paid 6 per cent. for 1888, and for 1889 the published traffics show very large increases. If only 7 per cent. be paid, an investor at 10 would get £6 13s. 4d. on his capital.

"The Eastern and Eastern Extension Companies also declare interim dividends next month. The splendid traffics recently published by these companies ought to be reflected in an improved distribution to the shareholders.

"The Eastern Company's increase of £8,300 for August over the corresponding month of last year was, doubtless, in a great measure owing to the traffic with South Africa, which is a traffic capable of unlimited expansion, as fresh mining districts are opened up and progress is made in their development.

"I ought, perhaps, to add, with reference to the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, that the shareholders have a nest-egg in the shape of interest on their reserve fund. When the latter, which now amounts to £955,536, shall reach a total of £1,000,000, the interest is to be treated as revenne. This interest is now about £35,000 per annum, and on £1,000,000 it would not be much less than £40,000 per aunum, giving the ordinary shareholders an extra 11s. 5d. per cent. ; and as the preferred stock is practically already covered, yielding to the long-suffering A,' or deferred, shareholders a dividend of 1 per cent., hence the 'A' stock has a prospective value which is perhaps hardly represented by the market price of 18.-I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

"A SUBMARINE CABLE SHAREHOLDER. "London, September 9th."

Shuffling Off this Mortal Coil.-Says the Globe :"Following upon the discussion as to the name of the new electric executioner comes the question of what shall be the name of the death which the convict suffers. Various suggestions have been made, such as dyna-morti, electro-morti, electrocide, electrolethe, anl others. The boldest which we have yet seen proposes that we shall say simply that the man has been 'browned.' Mr. Brown is the author of the electrical experiments in this matter, and he deserves at least an equal fame with Dr. Guillotin."

NOTES.

Electric Lighting at Hastings.-At a meeting of the Hastings Town Council, held last Friday, the Public ighting Committee reported that they had received otices from the Local Electric Light Company and he South of England House-to-House Electricity Comany of their intention to apply to the Board of Trade or provisional orders, authorising them to supply elec-icity for public and private purposes within the Borough. The Committee stated that the Board of "rade officials would give preference to the application f the local authorities in every case where, in the pinion of the Board, no special circumstances exist to ender such preference inexpedient. The Committee lso recommended that an application be made by the Council to the Board of Trade for a provisional order, uthorising the supply of electricity by the Council for he lighting of streets or places and buildings under he control of the Council, the exact area of the supply o be determined by the Committee. Councillor enner moved the adoption of the report. The Deputy Town Clerk, in answer to a question, quoted 2300 as the probable cost of obtaining a provisional order. Councillor Revill asked if private individuals required the electric light from the Council, would hat body be bound to afford the supply or would it be optional? The Clerk said that the Council were only going to apply for power for public lighting. The report was agreed to.

Electric Lighting at Brighton.-At the last meeting of the Brighton Town Council the Pavilion Committee submitted their special report with reference to the electric light installation at the Pavilion. The Committee recommended "that the west wall of the engine house of the electric lighting station be removed and iron columns fixed to support the present roof; that a corrugated iron roof be carried over the present yard in accordance with the plan prepared by the Borough Surveyor, and that 60 accumulators or secondary batteries be provided and fixed and the necessary alterations made to the machinery, belts, &c., at an estimated cost of £544." Some opposition was offered to the report on the grounds that no engine was needed, as they had sufficient power without it, but on the motion of Councillor Booth the report was adopted. Further particulars respecting this may be seen in our other pages.

Electric Lighting in Sheffield.-A communication having been received by the Town Clerk from Mr. G. J. Simpson, intimating the intention of the Sheffield Telephone Exchange and Electric Light Company to apply to the Board of Trade for a licence to supply electricity to the borough, the Improvement Committee recommend the Council to reply to this as to a similar application, that they will not give their consent to any licence or provisional order being granted on the ground that the Council may probably themselves seek to obtain powers necessary for that purpose.

-

Electric Lighting for Harrogate. A deputation waited upon the Corporation the other day with a view of laying before them the advisability of lighting Harrogate by electricity, and of their intention, providing the Council agreed to the project, of seeking Parliamentary powers to accomplish it. Mr. James gave a detailed statement as to the proposals of the projected company, and Mr. Emmott spoke in reference to the engineering section of the work. In answer to Councillor Ward, Mr. James said he thought the Board of Trade would compel them to run all their wires underground. Other details as to price, motive power, transmission of currents, &c., being considered, the deputation promised to forward to the Corporation printed particulars of their proposals at an early date. The deputation withdrew, and the Council rose.

The Electric Light at Falmouth.-At the annual meeting of the Falmouth Gas Company on Friday, the Chairman (Mr. R. M. Tweedy) stated that electric lighting was now making great strides, and it was thought that the time had come when steps should be taken to obtain powers to provide electric lighting, and to prevent an outside company coming in. The directors, therefore, proposed to apply for an Act of Parliament to include the necessary clauses for electric lighting. It would depend upon the consumers of the district whether such an Act would be worth having. If the people declined to take electricity, it would not do for the company to adopt it. The report having been agreed to, it was resolved that a dividend of 5 per cent. be declared, making 10 per cent. for the year. The Chairman next brought forward a resolution authorising the directors to make application to Parliament next session for an Act empowering the company to supply electricity for public and private purposes, remarking that of course they would not be obliged to take up the Act at once. Captain Harvey thought that if they did not apply for an Act others would. Replying to a question, the Chairman stated that an Act would cost about £500, and to supply electricity to the whole district would cost about £10,000. The resolution was carried with one dissentient, Mr. Turner, who would let those who chose make application, preferring that the company should remain as it was. He did not see the utility of swamping the company when it could go on making a moderate profit.

The Lighting of Fareham.-The Lighting Committee reported to the Local Board on Friday that steps had been taken for the formation of an electric lighting company, and recommended that the advertising for tenders for public lighting be postponed until after the next meeting, the committee in the meantime to continue their inquiries. The report was adopted.

Theatre Lighting.-According to the Evening News and Post "Drury Lane" is rapidly being transformed into a palace of dazzling delight. The auditorium is simply ablaze with gold, which sets off the beautifully painted ceiling to the greatest advantage. The whole of the passages, crush rooms, and corridors are part of a wonderful scheme of marble painting, in which marble of every hue and description is represented, and the effect is very striking. The entrance lobby will be turned into a most comfortable smoking lounge, and the whole house, both before and behind the curtain, will be lit by electricity.

Edinburgh and Electric Lighting.-At a meeting of Edinburgh Town Council, held on Monday, notices of the proposed applications by six electric lighting companies to Parliament for powers to light the city by electricity were submitted. Lord Provost Boyd said they should not allow power to pass out of their hands to light the city with electricity. The notices had been considered in committee, and he moved that the council refuse their consent to the applications, and remit the question generally to the Lord Provost's Committee with powers to support any action that might be taken by the Gas Commissioners. Mr. Colston, in seconding the motion, said it was the only thing they could do in the circumstances. The Town Council had no desire to retard the progress of electricity in the city, but at the same time they had no wish that these companies should acquire rights which the council would afterwards buy up at large cost. The motion was adopted.

Domestic Electric Lighting.-Major MacAlister, Glenbarr Abbey, Kintyre, is contemplating lighting his establishment by electricity. There is an ample water supply.

Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll, is to be lighted by electricity. The necessary work is in progress.

296

Thames Steamboat Lighting.—In our leading article last week we omitted to mention that the names of the contractors for the electric lighting of the Victoria Steamboat Association's steamers are Messrs. Mackie and Chalmers.

Electric Light in Barnsley.-At a meeting of the Barnsley Town Council on Tuesday, a discussion ensued on the lighting of the borough, and the Town Clerk reported that notice had been received by the Lighting Committee from three companies of intended applcation to the Board of Trade for power to supply electricity in the borough. Since then he had had a letter from Messrs. Learoyd and James, solicitors to the National Electric Supply Company, stating that they represented thoroughly substantial people, and could receive any amount of pecuniary support. Ald. Brady said the subject was an important one; there were many subjects to enquire about, and he moved it be referred back to the committee to report. Ald. Brady said they might go further than Ald. Wood suggested. Their position was this-no company could come into the town to offer the electric light to the inhabitants without the permission of the local authority, and he believed they ought to offer every reasonable facility to those who were able to do it to supply the electric light. The question of public lamps was quite different. He was strongly of opinion that the Council should not apply for powers themselves, but they ought not to place an impediment in the way of public improvement coming to the town, which had already been too long delayed. In other towns tradesmen and private houses were supplied with the light, and they should seize the opportunity of having it brought to their own doors. He moved, "That the Town Clerk be directed to communicate with the gentlemen representing the Electrical Supply Association, and inform them that the Council will offer no opposition to their taking steps for supplying electric light within the boundaries of the borough, subject to such arrangements as the Lighting Committee may suggest to the Council." Eventually the matter was referred to the Lighting Committee, who were empowered to take such steps as they thought proper, and submit a report to next meeting.

The Electric Light in Glasgow.-A proposal by an electric lighting company to erect works in the town was considered at a meeting of Town Council, and by a majority of ten to three it was agreed to grant the facilities necessary for carrying out the work on condition that the price of supply is moderate, that the works are substantial, and that the Council have the option of purchasing the whole concern at the end of every seven years at valuation.

The Erection of Telephone Poles at Southampton.At the last meeting of the Shirley and Freemantle Local Board of Health it was decided to accord permission to the Western Counties and South Wales Telephone Company to erect telephone poles in the Millbrook Road subject to the terms of an existing agreement and one or two suggestions from the Surveyor.

Telephonic Communication with London.-At the monthly meeting of the Prestbury (Cheshire) Highway Board, on Tuesday, an application was considered from the National Telephone (late Lancashire and Cheshire) Company for permission to erect poles carrying wires along the roads towards Congleton, from the Macclesfield boundary. The requisite permission was granted. This will now cover the space which will bring all Lancashire and Cheshire in direct communication with the Metropolis.

Repairing Cables.-The Anglo-American Telegraph Company's cable between Brest, France, and St. Pierre, Miquelon, laid in 1869 and broken in deep water on the 17th July last, was successfully repaired on the 5th inst., by the company's ss. Minia, Captain Trott, Commander.

[SEPTEMBER 13, 1889.

Telegraphic Communication at Torquay.-At la Friday's sitting of the Torquay Local Board of Health Dr. Richardson spoke of the inadequate telegraphic facilities at Torquay. He proposed that a memorial should be drawn up by the Board and forwarded to the Postmaster-General, asking that the General Tel graph Office might remain open all night, so that, in any case of emergency telegrams might be sent to au part. Mr. Allams seconded and the motion was carried

Our Cousins across the Herring Pond.—Anothe of our valued Transatlantic exchanges feels bal Says Modern Light and Heat:-" Our esteemed contemporary the London ELECTRICAL REVIEW inclined to sneer at what the editor calls that latest American lunacy, the Electro-Automatic Trans Company of Baltimore,' which is developing th Weems's electric rapid transit system. Judged of fr an English point of view the Weems's system may appear of a somewhat lunatic nature, just as a few years ago arc and incandescent lights did, and, as more re cently still, electric railways and electric welding dit still they have all got there just the same. It may be the fact that this Weems's system is an American rather than an English invention, is rather hurtful to the feelings of the editor of the REVIEW. Well, we don' often have to record a brilliant and daring invention t an Englishman in the electrical field: such a genius a rara avis. Still we have always pleasure in noticiz any advances made by experts of whatever nationality, and while we refrain from recording our estimate of the Weems's system and its prospective utility, we prefer not to refer to it as that latest American lunacy We quietly await further developments with the fulles assurance that if there is anything practical in such a system of rapid traction, the skill, genius and plucke an American rather than an Englishman will bring that is practical out of it; and this, to the commercial and social advantage of the community and the wel deserved profit of the inventor." This is a very good eulogy on "Yankee smartness," and does the moder one credit. Indeed, there is little to choose between the youthful aspirants to electrical literature and thos of the more ancien régime so far as tall talk is con cerned, and in this we freely yield the palm to American journalism. But, paraphrasing our worth critic, we don't often have to record a brilliant and daring electric sugar fraud, a Keely motor swindle, or such a philanthropic, benevolent and humane idea as electrocution (see our other pages) emanating from the dense brain of the race to which we, through no fanit of our own, belong. Our Boston mentor knows, as d all our exchanges, that more than ourselves nobody admires the untiring energy and the generally in genious inventions of American engineers, and assuredly no journal outside their own country has accomplished more than the ELECTRICAL REVIEW is spreading abroad the results of their work, an assertion which many an inventor from the other side will endors When, however, we work our editorial selves up to tha state of high tension which induces us to speak of what we consider nothing short of lunacy, we have generally a good recollection of previous work in the field upo which we dare to comment. There was a simila scheme devised by one, Danchell, and worked exper mentally in this effete old island some years before th existence of Modern Light and Heat, and our persona experience of that now nearly forgotten 200 mile per hour electric railway warrants us in speaking as we di about the Weems's system. We did not need the assur ance that if there is anything practical in it the skill, genius and pluck of an American rather than a Englishman will bring well deserved profit to the inventor, for we have seen too many instances of the latter result accruing from inventions which never possessed even the very desirable merit of practicability. Should our feelings have led us into betraying a to great warmth in replying to these Bostonian strictures, we trust that "the hub of the Universe" will not be slow in extending to us its pardon, for greatness and generosity should go hand-in-hand.