In 1883 the well-known machine of the single horseshoe type, with the armature inverted, fig. 3, made its appearance, while in 1884 the machine of 1879 again came to the front, but with the magnets greatly increased in mass, as in fig. 4, and the limbs lying horizontally instead of standing vertically. In 1885 Gramme designed the four-pole field magnet shown in fig. 5, the exterior frame being of octagonal form, and the magnets lying radially. These last three designs are reproduced by other exhibitors over and over again and although it is quite true that a magnetic circuit, however shaped, is to the electrical engineer a magnetic circuit, and nothing more; still, it is to the originality of M. Gramme that these several designs. which we have described are due, and it is to M. Gramme, therefore, that credit should be given.

FIG. 6.

forms a single magnetic circuit as indicated by the dotted line, but with two armatures in the path of the induction instead of one, as usual. The object seems to be the more complete utilisation of the iron in the machine, symmetry of the field being obtained without sacrificing much weight in yokes or pole pieces. The design here shown does not manifest the object very clearly, however, and a much better example of the Deprez machine is to be seen at the exhibit of the Société pour la Transmission de la Force par l'Electricité. In this machine, fig. 7, the magnets lie parallel to the shaft, instead of perpendicular to it, as in the machine last described, the ends of the magnets being fitted with pole pieces, P, bored out

38

for the reception of the armatures. It will be observed that the second armature occupies the place which, if the machine had only a single armature, would be occupied by the magnet yoke, and though in the latter case the magnetising coils and therefore the magnetic circuit could be considerably shortened yet due to the particular construction adopted there is doubtless some saving in material. But, on the other hand, the combination is employed as two separate machines, and this being so we are inclined to think that it is a posi

[JULY 12, 1889.

reception of two armatures mounted on the same spindle. Of these armatures we could find no trace, but were we to visit the show later we should doubtless find them in their places with the magnetising coils mounted on the bars, M, making the poles alternately north and south around the armature as marked N and s in the figure. The machine, it will be seen, is nothing more than a six-pole double armature Deprez, but of its performances we may have something to say by-and-bye. (To be continued.)

FIG. 7.

tive disadvantage to have the two armatures inseparably connected. We would much rather see two machines side by side, even if due to the yoke pieces being heavier, they together weighed more than the double machine. At the generating station of the Société there are two good examples of this class of machine, however. These run at 600 revolutions per minute, each armature giving 40,000 watts, or each machine 80,000. The armatures of one are wound for 70 ampères at 600 volts; those of the other for 500 ampères at 80 volts. Both machines are separately excited by accumulators charged from another dynamo.

HERING VICE-GRIP WIRE COUPLING.* NOT less important than good insulation is proper installation. One of the greatest facts in connection with this latter subject is the reduction of the line resistance to the lowest possible degree. Wire joints as ordinarily made offer 50 per cent. of the total line resistance. With this issue we have illustrated an extremely ingenious wire coupling devised by Mr. Carl Hering, in which the conditions which exist in a first-class wire joint are attained perfectly by a clamp which operates purely upon mechanical principles. The clamping is so extremely tight that the molecules of the materials are forced into intimate connection, and there is no

FIG. 1.

Whilst we are expatiating on the Deprez type of dynamo let us mention a remarkable machine which we think must be a modification of this. As a precaution we say we think, because the machine was only being erected at the stand of M. Farcot, the engine builder, when we visited the Exhibition. What we saw was a number of men struggling with some heavy forgings, while mysterious gun-metal segment pieces lay strewed around them. The shapes of these pieces aroused our suspicions as to the ultimate character of the structure, so like the anatomist who pieces together odd bits of bones to build a quadruped of the past, we pieced together these bits of iron and brass to build up a dynamo of the future. In fig. 8* the magnet part of this machine is shown. It consists of six wrought iron bars, M, M, with a cast iron pole piece, B, on each end of each bar. Between the pole pieces are gunmetal segments, G, the whole when erected forming six wrought iron magnets parallel to each other and fitted at each end with pole pieces which are shaped for the

The sketch from which this figure was made was inadvertently incomplete by the writer.

FIG. 2.

resistance offered by the joint whatever. The ingenious methods by which these objects are attained are shown in the illustrations herewith :-Fig. 1 shows the coupling only. Fig. 2 shows the coupling with wires ran through and ready to be fastened. Fig. 3 shows the coupling with wires properly fastened, in which the

FIG. 3.

FIG. 4.

wire is tightly gripped, and the joint is perfect and neatly made for permanent use. Fig. 4 shows the coupling same as fig. 3, with the exception that the ends of the wire are twisted around and furnish additional fastening. This makes the grip of the wires extremely vice-like, and there is no danger of their ever coming

*Electrical World.

JULY 12, 1889.]

apart. The wires and joining parts are virtually welded together. The operation is so quick and simple that there is a great saving of time over the usual "twist joint." A very great saving of time is also made over the ordinary soldered joint, of which it is a practical equivalent in low resistance and strength.

They are made of stiff copper, and in every way suited to the purpose for which they are designed. No special tools are required in their manipulation. The ordinary pliers in the smaller wires, and the hammer in case of larger wires, are the only implements required. They are adapted alike for electric light wires, telephone and telegraph wires.

ELECTRICITY AT HENLEY.

MESSRS. M. IMMISCH & CO. are to be congratulated on having fairly and effectively introduced electric launches for pleasure purposes on the Thames. At Henley Regatta last week, in addition to the Viscountess Bury, capable of accommodating 60 to 70 passengers, the firm had five other electric boats, all of which were fully let for the week, being duly appreciated both by the hirers and by the onlookers, on account of their freedom from noise, smell, and smoke. The upper portion of the river is now studded with charging stations from Richmond up to Reading, the headquarters and principal station being on Platt's Eyot, at Hampton. On procuring a copy of the clever paper which devotes itself to chronicling the news of the river, the Lock to Lock Times, we were gratified to see that its best advertising page was occupied by two electrical firms, though the pleasure was somewhat discounted by the discovery that one of the said firms was only announcing the prices of its special manufacture of tin kettles. A third advertisement in the paper relates to the electric launch Ray Mead, which is let by its proprietor at £10 10s. per day, and is stated to have accommodation for 30 people. On another page for steam launches the charge is given at from £3 3s. to £7 78. per day, the largest of which would probably not afford seats for so many as 30. Turning to Messrs. Immisch & Co.'s circular, we find that the hire per day of their electric launches, including men in charge, is from £5 58. upwards, and the rates for recharging accumulators range from 11s. 6d. to 17s., according to the size of boat. We give these figures preliminary to contending that the cost of hiring an electric launch, compared with that of a steam launch, to accommodate the same number of people, is very little, if anything more, and that the cost of recharging is moderate enough to encourage a general adoption of electricity in preference to steam power.

We have not the means at hand of comparing in the same way the purchase prices of the two classes of launch, but we believe that the prime cost of the electric boat is somewhat more than that of a steam launch; but as a set-off against this, the owner of the electric boat can lay it up for any length of time without the anxiety and constant attention that must be required to keep an engine in good order. Although a 40 feet electric launch costs more than a 40 feet steam launch, it is not so clear that an electric boat to accommodate 40 people is any more costly than one with a steam engine for the same number, the fact being that with electric 'propulsion the proportion of space available for passengers is so much greater.

The copy of The Lock to Lock Times already referred to enables us to make another comparison. Under the head of "Delightful River Trips," the saloon steamer, Oxford, is announced to make weekly journeys between Oxford and Kingston, and the charge per head for a day's run is 10s. A small electric launch hired for the day at five guineas, would carry at least 10 persons, so that a party of ten or twelve would economise by having a private electric boat to themselves, instead of paying their fares by the public steamer. In the por

39

tion of the paper which is devoted to a description of the house-boats at Henley Regatta, it is recorded that the owner of the Golden Grasshopper, the most complete establishment of that kind on the course, had an electric launch alongside, which not only answered the purpose of a tender by day, but at night afforded a supply of electricity sufficient for lighting the tastefully decorated saloon of his house-boat.

We are glad to hear that Messrs. Immisch & Co. are receiving every encouragement to enlarge their field of operations, and that they have in course of construction a number of launches either being built to order or for addition to the fleet, which the firm intends keeping on hand for sale or hire. So large a proportion of the river-loving public are well able to afford the luxury of an electric launch that we fully expect to see the business develop into an extensive and fairly profitable

one.

There is, however, one factor in the working of these electrically propelled boats which may eventually lead to some inconvenience. Already we learn that the inhabitants of Richmond are protesting against the charging station, with its smoke and noise, which are voted a nuisance; and it does seem a little unreasonable to abolish smoke on a small scale by substituting electricity for steam on pleasure craft, and then to concentrate it largely at given points on the river. Should the opposition prove very strong, there is no reason why the smoke should not be abated, or, indeed, done away with altogether.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING AND THE COUNTY

COUNCIL.

IMPORTANT REPORT OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE.

LAST Tuesday, at the usual weekly meeting of the London County Council in the Guildhall Council Chamber, under the presidency of the Earl of Rosebery, the Chairman of the Highways Committee (Mr. Alderman A. H. Haggis) presented an important report dealing chiefly with the subject of electric lighting in the metropolis. The committee reported that their Chairman and Mr. Benn, one of the members of the committee, had had several interviews with the Board of Trade with a view to amendments being made in the model Provisional Order under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 and 1888, proposed to be adopted with respect to areas of supply in London; and that many of the amendments suggested by the committee had been adopted by the Board of Trade, and embodied in the Orders granted. The following letter has since been received from the Board of Trade :

Board of Trade (Railway Department),
London, S.W., July 1st, 1889.

Sir, I am desired by the Board of Trade to forward to you, for the information of the London County Council, copies of Provisional Orders which the Board of Trade have granted in the Metropolitan area under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 and

1888.

The County Council will observe that the provisions of the Orders vary in some particulars from the provisions contained in the model Order, of which a copy was forwarded to you on the 12th ultimo (R 8,604).

Modifications have been introduced in consequence of representations made to the Board of Trade since the preparation of the model Order.

In adopting them, the Board of Trade have had especial regard to the suggestions made by the Committee of the London County Council, with whom the Board of Trade have had the pleasure of discussing the subject, and clauses have been framed with the object, as far as possible, of giving effect to those suggestions. It will be seen that a section has been introduced exempting from the powers of the undertakers interference with embankments, parks, or open spaces, not forming part of any street vested in the London County Council.

The committee were desirous that the public bridges vested in the Council should be included in this section; but no power is conferred by the order to interfere with any portion of a public bridge other than the roadway over it, and the Board of Trade are of opinion that the provisions of sections 13 and 15 will sufficiently prevent any works likely to be detrimental to a bridge, and that,

40

The Highways Committee further reported that the following orders were those which had been granted by the Board of Trade :

House-to-House Electric Supply Company.

Kensington and Knightsbridge Electric Lighting Company.

London Electric Supply Corporation. Metropolitan Electric Supply Co. (West London). (Mid London). (South London). Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company. St. Martin (Electricity Supply Corporation). South Kensington (Chelsea Electricity Supply Co.). Westminster (Westminster Electric Supply Corporation).

Mr. Haggis also reported that there were still several points in the orders with reference to which the committee considered that some amendments were necessary. They had therefore requested their chairman and Mr. Benn, with the assistance of the Council's officers and the Parliamentary agent, to confer further with the Board of Trade with the view to such amendments being made.

[JULY 12, 1889.

REVIEWS.

By F. C. ALLSOP.

Practical Electric Bell Fitting.
London E. and F. N. Spon, 125, Strand.

:

This book is a reprint of a series of articles on the subject which recently appeared in the columns of the English Mechanic. Much additional matter has been incorporated, and a thorough revision has been effected. The history of electric bells for domestic purposes, it may not be generally known, dates back as far as the year 1850, when appliances of this kind were fitted up in the Senate House of Berne, Switzerland, by, we believe, Hipp, of Neufchatel. The first introduction of electric bells into England was by Messrs. Adams, of the Haymarket, London, about the year 1860, the patterns manufactured by Breguet, of Paris, being sold, and the Belgian globe Daniell battery being used; the latter form of battery was not a great success, and the happy fate of the electric bell industry is probably almost entirely due to the invention of the Leclanché element. Although electric bells have not entirely taken the place of the old crank system, there is now scarcely a bellhanger, even in small towns, who will not contract to fit up either description, and very often with the result of continual failures; to such tradesmen and others we would heartily recommend Mr. Allsop's work, as it is the most complete of its kind yet issued. The book is both well written and well illustrated. Almost every form of bell, indicator, &c., is described, the tools required for fitting are enumerated, and all necessary practical details are given; the name of the book, in fact, thoroughly expresses its nature.

Thermo-Electricity. Theoretically and Practically Considered by the Aid of Thermo-Electricity. By ARTHUR RUST. London: E. and F. N. Spon, 125, Strand.

We are not particularly struck by this production. In fact, the writing in many cases makes one doubt whether the author knows what he is talking about. Many of the experiments given, however, are interesting, though it is difficult to judge of the value of the same; thus the author makes his experiments with a galvanometer, the nature of which, as regards its resistance, he says nothing, hence many of the results he obtains may be due to low electromotive force or high resistance; the author assumes they are due to the former, but inasmuch as the heating of the elements would increase their resistance, the current would be decreased from this cause if a low resistance galvanometer were being used. The author seems confident that what he calls his "Magnopile" will be a commercial success. Considering, however, the known exceedingly low efficiency of thermopiles, and seeing that the author does not appear to have made any experiments or devised any modification of the old lines, which mark any great advance, his expectations are, we fear, doomed to failure.

LEGAL.

United Telephone Company v. Liversedge & Co.This action was heard on Saturday before Mr. JUSTICE NORTH in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice.

Mr. WICKLEM said the action came on upon motion for judgment in default of defence. The action was brought for an injunction to restrain the infringement of the Edison transmitter and the Bell receiver, and the claim asked that the infringing instruments might be delivered up to the plaintiffs. With the statement of claim particulars of breaches were delivered, and he asked for an order in the same terms in which the courts had previously made them, with costs up to judgment, the costs of the inquiry as to damages being reserved."

HIS LORDSHIP made the order as asked.

A similar order was made by Mr. JUSTICE CHITTY in an action of the United Telephone Company v. Brierly, which was heard as a short cause, the defendant not appearing.

Telephone Poles in the New Forest.-At the last meeting of the Lyndhurst Highway Board, the clerk reported that he had been to Bristol and had seen the representative of the Telephone Company with reference to the erection of the wooden poles along the highway at Totton and Lyndhurst, complaint with regard to which had been made by Mr. Gulliver at the previous meeting. Mr. Roy said the roads had come under the County Council since leave had been given to the Telephone Company to erect their poles. In consequence of this, the County Surveyor had forbidden the company to erect any more poles until the sanction of the County Council had been obtained. Mr. Gulliver said that in the villages there was a desire that the wooden poles should be superseded by iron ones, the same as was done along the Shirley road. Mr. Roy said he would undertake to bring the wishes of the board under the notice of the County Council.

JULY 12, 1889.]

NOTES.

Electric Lighting in the West.-The Devon and Cornwall Electric Supply Company, Limited, which was registered in London a few days since with Mr. Luxon, of Plymouth, as secretary, pro tem., is busily engaged in canvassing Plymouth with the view of ascertaining the measure of support likely to be received from that quarter. Should the result be considered satisfactory the company, which under its Parliamentary Bill has power to extend its operations throughout Devon and Cornwall, will make preparations for an early start, and circulars have been forwarded to the local authorities interested notifying their intention to do so.

Competitive Electric Lighting at Bournemouth.At the last meeting of the Bournemouth Town Council it was stated that communications had been received from the Anglo-American Brush Electric Light Corporation, the Electric Construction and Maintenance Company, and the South of England House-to-House Electricity Company, each giving notice of their intention to apply for Provisional Orders with reference to the introduction of electric lighting into Bournemouth. The applications were referred to the Lighting Committee.

Busy in Electric Lighting.-Messrs. B. Verity & Sons, of Covent Garden, inform us that for some weeks past they have been exceedingly busy in electric lighting work. They have in hand at the present time the following:-Sherborne House, as well as the church on the estate, Northleach, Gloucestershire, for Captain L. Byng, Royal Horse Guards; Footscray Place, Kent, for Sir John Pender, K.C.M.G.; Riverhome, Hampton Court, and the beautiful Swiss Chalet on the River bank for Osborne O'Hagan, Esq.; the Commercial Bank of Scotland, City, and five mansions in London and Brighton for connection to central stations. The firm are also busy in the manufacturing departments, having secured the whole order for fittings for the Government House, Singapore, Straits Settlements. Messrs. B. Verity & Sons have also added to their catalogue upwards of 140 new designs in copper standards, brackets, &c.

Electric Lighting in the Navy.-Commander Batten, chief of the electric light department at the Admiralty, was busy during the last three or four days last week in testing the electric light apparatus which has been fitted on the gun wharf, and on board the new vessels Warspite, Rodney and Australia. The trials have proved in every way satisfactory.

Electric Lighting for Theatrical Effects.-We understand that the electrical effects produced in the new ballet, "Astrea," at the Alhambra, were carried out by Mr. C. S. Northcote for the firm of Messrs. B. Verity and Sons, of Covent Garden. There are over 200 5-candle-power lamps used, and half a mile of flexible cord; every set of 10 lamps is on a separate circuit, which is protected by a double pole cut-out on the batten. No lamp holders are used, the lamps being fixed by a special arrangement which has not been employed before. The effect produced has been announced by the Press to be very charming.

Removal.-Messrs. J. E. Spagnoletti and Crookes have removed from Adelaide Works, Uxbridge Road, to Goldhawk Works, No. 39B, Goldhawk Road, London, W.

Pension. A Civil List pension of £200 has been granted to Mrs. Helen Patey, in consideration of the services rendered by her late husband, Mr. C. H. B. Patey, in the improvement of the telegraph service of this country.

41

Communication with the Cape Interrupted.-The Bureau International, of Berne, announces that on the 2nd July the cable which connects Mossamedes, Port Nolloth, and Cape Town, was interrupted. Our readers will remember that this portion of the West African cables was laid by the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company's ship the Scotia in April and May. We should not be surprised to learn that the Tpiece which is run into Port Nolloth has broken down, for it is rumoured that considerable difficulty was experienced in making the joint. We recollect that the Scotia was delayed off Port Nolloth for a considerable time. It is possible that the fault may prove to be in one of the land lines connecting the cable huts with the stations; but whatever may be the cause, the communication is interrupted, and it is to be very much regretted that a breakdown should have occurred upon a cable so very recently laid, and opened to the public but a short time since. For various reasons, considerable attention has been called to this new telegraph route to the Cape, and a mishap to the system, under the circumstances, is all the more to be deplored, since the effect must be to shake public confidence in the work of contractors who have borne so high a reputation as that possessed by the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company.

Electrically Treated Sewage.-Mr. Webster, the inventor of the latest treatment of sewage by electricity, has been visiting Maidstone with a view to the formulation of a scheme for the purification of the river Medway, which is now very much polluted by sewage.

Another Richmond in the Field.-The Gas and Water Review will henceforth be known as the Gas and Water Review and Journal of Electric Lighting. It has always held that the owners of gas undertakings who are suppliers of light should take up the supply of electricity; and, for the purpose, primarily of giving information upon the subject, the proprietors have determined to uphold electricity as a lighting agent. It is claimed that it is the first and only paper in the world which treats upon gas and electric light as combined interests. Is it a sign of the times, or has the Gas and Water Review met with such little support amongst its own clientèle that its proprietors think it may be more successful with the electrical fraternity? If the latter is the case it would be easy to disabuse their minds, judging from the electrical items in the copy sent to us for notice. Still we hail with satisfaction any addition to our ranks which can further, in however small a degree, the interests of the best illuminant.