A brass

is provided with three screw levelling feet. case fits upon the slate base plate, and fixed to its top is a metal scale box with a glass front which contains the indicator and scale. The movable part, V, is a square aluminium plate, supported by two long links, which pass through a slit in the top plate of the case to two knife-edge stirrups on one end of the counterpoised indicator, I. The whole movable portion is supported by knife-edges on two brass pillars and has a short arm, A, with a knife-edge stirrup at its extremity attached to its axis. The weights which fix the constant of the instrument hang on this stirrup.

The instrument is usually graduated by direct comparison with a Standard Vertical Scale Voltmeter, and has a scale with divisions corresponding to equal differences of potential. The scale is graduated from 0 to 50, and three weights are provided such that, with the first alone hung on, the constant is 250 volts per division, with the first and second weights on, it is 500 volts per division, and with all three weights on, 1,000 volts per division. (To be continued.)

THE CARDEW RECORDING VOLTMETER.

THE voltmeter which we illustrate below has been recently brought out by Captain Cardew, and is intended. to record variations in the potential in an electrical circuit in just the same way that a Moscrop indicator records variations in the number of revolutions per minute of an engine, or a recording barometer the

[NOVEMBER 15, 1889

means of the spring, C, caused to press against the cylinder, B, and keep the paper tight. Similarly, ci drawn against D by a spring. H is a pendulum which belongs to clock work not shown in the diagram, bu used for rotating the cylinder, D, and thus giving the required movement to the paper. I is a small whee fixed in any suitable position on the escapemen: spindle; for example, it is provided with four projec ing teeth which are in electrical connection with the axis; as the wheel revolves these teeth press against: spring contact, K, thus completing the circuit from the battery, L, consisting of three Leclanché cells, into the electromagnet, M, round which an intermittent current is therefore sent which may be caused to pas any number of times per minute, according to the number of projecting teeth on the wheel, I. The magnet, M, is on one side of the paper, and its armature, is hung by two fine threads, 0, from fixed points, P, o the other side, so that it can swing against the poles of the magnet without friction, when attracted by the magnet. Referring now to fig 2, two terminals will be seen at Q, Q', to these are connected the ends of the circuit in which there is a varying potential to be recorded. From one terminal, Q, a fine high resistance wire, R, made of an alloy of platinum and silver, passes round the small grooved pulley, S, up and round 1 back round pulley, s', fig. 1, and up to terminal, The principle of the Cardew Voltmeter, patented Ne 623, of the year 1883, depends, as will be remembered. upon the expansion and contraction of such a wire a R when, owing to a change of potential in the circuit tested, a varying current is caused to flow in the wire. The piece, U, is a thin metal strip which carries the small pulley, T, and its end, Y, moves in an arc struck

changes in atmospheric pressure. The illustrations are, of course, diagrammatic, but will clearly show the working of the instrument. Referring to fig. 1, A is a cylinder upon which a paper ribbon, e, e, suitable for use with a metallic pencil, is wound; the end of the ribbon is carried round the cylinder, B, which revolves freely on a fixed axis, it then passes round the cylinder, C, under D, and then away to any suitable place. E is a small cylinder carried on the rocking lever, F, and by

FIG. 2.

from V, by this means very much magnifying the effect of a change in length of the wire, R, it is known as the bow arrangement, and is the subject of a later patent taken out this year. From the point, Y, fine threads pass over small pulleys, of which Z has two grooves, one for the thread, a, fixed to a point, a. the other for a thread, b, carrying the weight, c, fixed to a point diametrically opposite a'. The weights, check any tremor which might be produced at Y.

Upon the spindle, d, to which the pulley, Z, is fast, here is fixed a pointer, p, made of some light material, uch as aluminium, a small piece of brass, which acts s the pencil is fastened in the end of the pointer which oes between the armature, N, and the prepared paper, , e. Upon the arms, h, which can rock upon the pindle of B, is fixed a metallic comb of 10 prongs, which is caused to press upon the paper by the pull of he spring, g. Suppose the instrument to be set going,

candle-power, this figure including maintenance and payment to the redemption fund.

One great point that the author has entirely overlooked is, that different conditions prevail in different countries. For instance, the price of gas in certain towns in England ranges from as low as 1s. 10d. per thousand to as high as 78. In some foreign countries gas is even more expensive than the highest figure charged in this country, as is the case in Spain, Italy, the United States, &c. Then, again, motive power is cheaper in one district than another, especially if water-power is available. M. Rolland too, has not taken into consideration the disadvantages of lighting by coal gas, water gas and petroleum, and amongst which may be mentioned heat, smell, smoke, danger of explosion, fire, &c. These defects are, of course, absent in electric light installations, with the exception of the fire risk, which is reduced to a minimum when the wiring is carried out in an efficient manner.

Three of the tables given by M. Rolland, and which are quoted from M. Heim, are so interesting that we have no hesitation in reproducing them. They show the comparative cost of lighting by different kinds of lamps. The first refers to arc lamps, the second to glow lamps, and the third to the cost per candle hour for different kinds of installations :—

revolve, the paper is travelling up, the prongs make a set of parallel lines upon it, a tooth of I touches K, and à current flows from the cells, L, round the electromagnet, M; this attracts the armature, N, which presses the end of the pointer against the paper, making a mark. An instrument of this kind has been working for some months continuously at Messrs. Drake and Gorham's, who are making the instruments. We had the pleasure of examining it, and found that an electric clock was being used, but, of course, any clock may be employed. In fig. 3, a view of the paper used is given; the figures represent volts in this instance, registering from 55-64 volts. The instrument may be calibrated by regulating the distance between the prongs of the fork; and a special patent has been taken out for the mode of producing the record.

The main points to be noted are (1) the pointer is absolutely frictionless; (2) an intermittent record is taken by means of a suspended armature; (3) the principle of measuring potential by the expansion of a wire of high resistance; (4) the bow magnifying principle of connecting the wire.

A similar instrument may, of course, be made as a recording ammeter.

ARC AND GLOW LAMP LIGHTING.

A SHORT time ago an interesting paper on the comparative costs of different kinds of artificial lighting was read before the Liége Society of Engineers, by M. C. Rolland, engineer, of Mons. In the paper were given seven tabular statements, showing the respective cost of lighting by petroleum, coal gas, water gas, magnesium lamps, arc and glow lamps. According to the author, the tables showed that both gas and oil lighting would not at present be supplanted by electricity, as under the most advantageous conditions the electric light cost 0016 fr. per candle-power, whilst gas lighting at 128. per cubic metre of gas burnt in regenerative lamps of the Siemens or Wenham type, only cost 000698 fr. per

554

NOTES.

Electric Lighting at Bournemouth.-The Lighting Committee have reported as to their conference with the Electrical Engineering Company and their visit to the works at Bourne Valley. The committee expressed themselves entirely opposed to granting a monopoly to any one company, and recommended that consent should be given to the applications, for provisional orders, of the Anglo-American Brush Electric Light Corporation and the South of England House-to-House Electric Supply Company, Limited, on the distinct understanding that the terms of the applications shall be approved of by the commissioners, and that no wire shall be carried above ground without special permission. The report was adopted.

The Lighting of Bognor.-The Local Board at their last meeting received a communication from the local gas company intimating their withdrawal from the terms on which they proposed to light the town, as they had not been accepted. Mr. Gregory said the idea of lighting their town by electricity had been mooted, and he proposed that the matter should stand over until they heard what advance was going to be made in that direction. This was agreed to.

The Electric Lighting Question at Leeds.-The Yorkshire House-to-House Electric Lighting Company, Limited, in consequence of the resolution passed by the Leeds Town Council at its last meeting to defer the question of public electric lighting for six months, has informed the Town Clerk (Sir G. W. Morrison) that they will be glad to hear that the Corporation will not oppose an application by the company for a provisional order. The company's request will be submitted to the Leeds Town Council at its meeting to-morrow, when it will be determined what course shall be taken by the Corporation.

Gravesend and the Electric Light.-At a meeting of the Gravesend Town Council on Tuesday, a discussion took place with respect to lighting the borough with electricity. The committee recommended that no consent should be given to any of the companies who had served notices of intended application for provisional orders. Councillor Butchard said the committee did not wish by any means to exclude electric lighting from the borough. As a matter of fact, they were very anxious to get it, but, at the same time, they wished to have the power to make terms with a selected company for obtaining an effective light at a reasonable rate. The committee thought by withholding consent they would further that object, and when the companies applied for powers they would be able to judge of their respective merits. That was the business way of doing the thing, and no one in his private capacity would give his consent to either of these companies until he knew their respective capabilities and what their intentions were. There was no legal necessity for consent to be given before application for a provisional order. Councillor Labourn moved that consent be given to the Municipal Electric Power and Lighting Corporation, Limited, the South of England House-to-House Electricity Company, and the Electric Construction and Maintenance Company, Limited. He said the Board of Trade would see that the interests of the town were guarded before they would grant a provisional order, and it was important that there should be no delay. Margate had given its assent to the Electric Power Company, and Gravesend might safely follow suit. Councillor Cooper did not agree in giving permission to every company that liked to apply, and said it was no good for gentlemen to attend committees if e recommendations were not adopted. After some ther discussion, Councillor Labourne's motion was ied.

[NOVEMBER 15, 1889,

Edinburgh Town Council and Electric LightingA special meeting of the Town Council of Edinbur was held on Monday, for the purpose of consider. the intimations served upon the Corporation by si electric lighting companies, asking powers to supp electricity within the city. Lord Provost Boyd pr sided. The Town Clerk read the report of the Lor Provost's committee, which recommended the Tow Council to adhere to their resolution refusing consent to the applications, to oppose any such application ty any of the electric lighting companies, and to postpone in the meantime, further consideration of the que tion. The Town Clerk next read letters on behalf d three of the companies that are to apply for powers z supply electricity within the city. Bailie Turntal said it was quite evident there were difficulties in the way, and he thought they should take no further actia in the meantime. They had a great interest in kep ing the electric lighting of the city in their own hands He thought they should reply to the different com panies declining to grant their requests, and let th question of future action by the Corporation remain for further consideration. Mr. Kinloch Anderson said he should be disposed to second the motion if Ba Turnbull would modify the last clause, which said "v postpone in the meantime further consideration of the question." Bailie Turnbull said he would be in favou of deleting the words "to postpone in the meantime further consideration of the question," and to subsa tute the words, "to remit to the Lord Provost's com mittee to consider the whole subject and to report Mr. Kinloch Anderson said they could not recomm it. They must give notice in a day or two if they were to do anything. The Lord Provost said they were to late already. Mr. Macnaughton moved the following amendment :-"That the recommendation of the Lord Provost's committee be not approved of; further, the the question of electric lighting be recommitted to the Lord Provost's committee, with instructions to confe with the various applicants and arrange as to the cond tions on which the consent of the Town Council sha be given or withheld." The objection which he ha to the motions which had been submitted was that any one of them necessitated opposition to the companies. Mr. George Auldjo Jamieson seconded the amendmen He was decidedly opposed to all monopoly, he said He was also decidedly averse to the principle of protec tion, and he thought that an industry which required to be protected, as the Gas Commissioners thought their industry required to be protected, was doomed. Anothe reason why he opposed the motion of Bailie Turnbal was that he thought it most undesirable that any delay shonld take place in affording to the citizens of Ediz burgh the benefits of electric lighting. The final ve lay between Bailie Turnbull's motion and Mr. Kinloct Anderson's amendment, the latter of which was carried by a majority of one,

Northfleet and Electric Lighting.-At the Norther Local Board, on Tuesday, the question of electri lighting was considered. Mr. Tolhurst thought they ought not put anything in the way of electric lighting companies. Mr. Guard said Gravesend had just give consent to three companies who were about to apply for provisional orders. The chairman did not think they should follow Gravesend. Mr. Tolhurst said they did not want to follow Gravesend, but neither did the want to be behind Gravesend. Mr. Topham complained that the electric tramway company had injure the roads. It was decided to rescind a resoluti against allowing electric lighting companies at North fleet.

NOVEMBER 15, 1889.]

Telephone Prospects.--At the Kent County Council on Thursday, the 7th of November, the South of England Telephone Company applied for permission to erect poles and wires alongside any of the main roads in the county. Sir David Salomons said that the patents would run out in December, and the question was whether the Postal Officials would let them go on. The erection of the poles would make the country hideous. The application was referred to a committee.

Electric Light at Rochester.-The electric light has been successfully introduced into the Council Chamber at the Guildhall, Rochester.

Electric Light in Rome.-A contract has been signed between the Commune of Rome and the Anglo-Roman Gas Society for the illumination of Rome and the suburbs by electric light. One hundred and sixtyseven electric lights will take the place of 706 gas lights, at an increased expense of nearly 26,000 francs annually.

Cheaper Electric Lights.-The Boston Walworth Company has recently increased its capital from £15,000 to £105,000. The company will make an offer to the Board of Aldermen to light the streets of the city at 45 cents. a lamp per night, which is 20 cents. cheaper than the present contract, and would make a saving of £50,000 a year.

Electric Light at West Bromwich.-The Town Council will apply for a provisional order.

York. The subject of electrically lighting this town will be discussed by the Town Council on December 9th.

Underground Conductors.-Mr. Edison is firmly convinced that even if the high tension wires in America are put underground they cannot be successfully or safely operated. It would be interesting to learn his opinion of the Deptford scheme, with Ferranti's cables, which seems a very long while coming to the fore.

Cable Ship Appointment.-Mr. Maynard Dodd, an "old boy" of Hutcheson's Grammar School, Glasgow, and the best student in electrical engineering (telegraph branch), session 1887-88, in the classes conducted by Prof. Jamieson, Glasgow, and West of Scotland Technical College, has just been appointed assistant electrician to the Anglo-American Telegraph Company. He will shortly leave London on board the cable ship Minia, on which Captain Trott and chief electrician Hamilton are at present taking 100 knots of their new patent untwistable cable for a deep-water job in connection with one of the trans-Atlantic lines. Mr. Maynard will have an opportunity of getting excellent practical training under Mr. Hamilton and that famous cable ship commander Captain Trott.

The

National Telephone Electrical Society (Birmingham Branch). On Friday evening, the 8th inst., Mr. Alfred Coleman, M.I.E.E., the President, delivered an inaugural address on "The Future of the Telephone." speaker briefly showed that the telephone had now taken its place among the necessities of life, and success in the future was therefore assured. He pointed out to the members the necessity of keeping ahead of the times, and directions in which they might exercise their minds with a view to introducing improvements. The meeting was thoroughly appreciative, and the society promises to have a successful session.

555

Insulating Composition.-The Telephone Company of Zurich is supplying a new insulating cement for electrical apparatus, for which the following advantages are claimed. Its insulating property is equal to that of porcelain; it is hard as stone, but not brittle, and it is not acted upon by moisture, acids, or heat.

A New Soldering Flux.-A new resinous soldering flux (patented) has recently been brought out by Mr. J. N. Watkins, of Eccles, Manchester. The flux is a liquid, about the consistency of thin varnish. As it contains no alkali or acid, either free or combined, no corroding effects whatever are produced by its use. With the new flux the solder will flow (as we have verified by experiment) with great freedom, a point which is of the greatest importance. For telegraph and electric light work the liquid must prove very valuable.

A New Canadian Cable.-The Montreal Shareholder says:-"We are pleased to learn that the Canadian Atlantic Cable project, in which Mr. R. R. Dobell, of Quebec, has taken such a lively interest, has been put into practicable shape. The fact that an English firm has engaged to make the cable, lay and guarantee it for $1,500,000, is an indication that lower cable rates will prevail by this line, a feature which the prospectus of the company lays stress upon. With an outlay onethird that of the Commercial Cable, which is the cheapest yet laid, and which cost $4,000,000 to make and lay, the new company will be able to do business profitably at lower rates than any of the other companies. We trust that it will be carried to a successful issue without delay, in order that we may have a Canadian Press service which will give us the latest news from the other side, without the adulteration and discolouring which is necessary to tickle the palates of those Anglophobes for whom it is now specially prepared."

--

Obituary. We regret to hear of the death, at the age of 63, at Berne, after a long illness, of M. Louis Curchod, director of the International Bureau of the Telegraphic Union. As Central Director of the Swiss Telegraphs, M. Curchod took part in the preparation of the first international telegraphic conventions. He was appointed to represent Switzerland at the Paris International Telegraphic Conference in 1865, and rendered the greatest assistance at that first meeting of the heads of the European telegraph offices, among whom he took a prominent place, which he held till the time of his death. The formation of the International Bureau of Telegraphy administration (one of the results of the 1868 Congress), the management of which was handed over to the Swiss Government, was directed by M. Curchod. He took part in the telegraphic conferences of Rome in 1871, of St. Petersburgh in 1875, of London in 1879, and of Berlin in 1885, and contributed largely to the progress realised by those different assemblies. Among other honours which had been conferred upon him, he was promoted to the dignity of Grand Officer of the Order of St. Stanislas of Russia. He was also a Commander of the Order of the Royal Crown of Prussia, an Officer of the Legion of Honour, a Commander of the Order of the Royal Crown of Italy, a Grand Officer of the Order of Francis Joseph of Austria, &c.

A Novel Way of Exhibiting.-Germany is about to carry out a very novel enterprise. An enormous German Lloyd steamer is about to be fitted up into exhibition rooms, in which will be displayed samples of every article that will illustrate the industries of Germany. The vessel has three decks, and there will be eight large exhibition rooms. There will, in addition, be dining, smoking, and music rooms upon the promenade deck, and the ship will be lighted with electricity, and heated with steam. It is going round the world, and will stop at 80 different ports. The Great Eastern was once rigged for a similar purpose, but the show was a stationary one.

556

The Spite of Gas.-The following extract is from the Evening Telegraph, Dublin, dated the 12th inst. :-"A fire of a most unusual kind occurred in Messrs. Powell's establishment, in William Street, on Thursday evening. The immediate cause of the fire was an old composition gas pipe (which we presume must have been leaking) went on fire, and very soon set fire to the electric light wires, which passed near it, melting off the insulation, which is itself a most inflammable substance, and in turn would have set fire to the surrounding woodwork but for intervention of a painter, who dashed a bucket of water on the burning matter, he receiving, in turn, as a reminder that he was dealing with electric fluid, a smart shock from the current running back along the water to his hands. We understand that as a result of this accident Messrs. Clerry and Co.'s and Messrs. Pim Brothers' establishments were deprived of their electric lights for about half an hour while the wires were being cut away from Messrs. Powell's establishment."

Old Students' Association.-The presidential address will be delivered by Mr. W. E. Sumpner, D.Sc., on "Some Peculiarities of Alternate Currents," illustrated by experiments, on Tuesday, the 19th of November, 1889.

Institute of Electrical Engineers Students' Meeting. -The first meeting of the latter part of the session took place on Friday evening last, Mr. A. H. Dykes in the chair. A lively and instructive discussion took place on "The different systems of distribution being employed in London at the present time," in which the following gentlemen took part :-The Chairman, and Messrs. Barton, Childs, Horn, Jacob, Müller, Poynton and Walker. The next meeting will be held on Friday, November 22nd.

Tramway Propulsion.-The Plymouth Tramway Company is about to complete and equip the line for which renewed parliamentary powers have recently been obtained, and is prepared to receive proposals for traction by cable or electricity. Applications should be made before December 5th, by letter only in first place, to the Secretary, Plymouth Tramway Company, care of Messrs. Walter Webb and Co., 28, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.

Telegraph Stores.-The North-Eastern Railway Company requires a supply of the following articles during six months ending June 30th, 1890, delivered carriage paid at the Stores, at York:-1, Telegraph apparatus; 2, telegraph wire and line stores.

The Electric Lighting Act.-In view of the ensuing Session of Parliament, the Board of Trade has, it is stated, already received over 300 applications for provisional orders for the electric lighting of various towns in Great Britain, the whole of which, if granted, will require the sanction of Parliament next Session before they can become operative. In some cases they will be allowed to proceed without opposition, but in others local authorities intend stepping in. Preference will be given to these when their intention to supply electrical energy is bona fide.

[NOVEMBER 15, 1889

The Proposed Electric Tramway between Bournemouth and Poole.-This matter has again come before the Bournemouth Commissioners, and on the recommendation of the Roads and Works Committee it has been decided to withhold permission for the present The Bournemouth and Poole Tramway Company have given notice to the Hants County Council of their intention to apply for a Provisional Order.

The Sawyer-Man Decision.-Speaking of the recent decision, the New York Electrical World says:Very great interest attaches to the Sawyer-Maz decision. Judge Bradley's decision, in which the broad claim of Sawyer-Man to the fibrous filament lamp is upset, invalidating the patent, is in many respects a remarkable one. "We are clearly of opinion," says the judge, "that neither Sawyer and Man nor Edison can maintain any just claim to the exclusive use of charcoal generally in any form as an incandescing conductor in an electric lamp." In fact, the two joint inventors did not start out with the idea of securing any such monopoly, he contends, but desired simply to patent the carbon arch; and he so reads the evidence as to intimate that an illegitimate effort was made when the subject matter was subse quently amended. But Judge Bradley is not satisfied with this, and goes on to define what the real invention in the practical, successful commercial incandescent lamp is, and this in a very plain way he describes as the filament of high resistance invented, perfected and patented by Mr. Edison. Of this he says, as Judge Wallace said of Reis in regard to the Bell telephone, "it is undoubtedly the great discovery in the art," without which "electric lighting would never have become a fact." This is clearing away the underbrush with a vengeance, and leaves to view, as never before. the giants of the forest. Judge Bradley's decision is, it must be frankly admitted, a very positive support to the Edison claims, and, if sustained in further litigation, might possibly create an Edison lamp monopoly in America of the kind already existing in England through the verdicts of the courts. But the question here arises as to the effect upon the Edison patents of the much-discussed foreign limitation. Should the rulings on that issue be sustained, the incandescent lamp is practically public property to-day; but if it be held on review that an American inventor should not be made to suffer in this manner, then Mr. Edison stands to win pretty well all along the line. Such is in brief, the situation as the decision makes it.

Electrically Opening Railway Gates.-A test was made a short time ago of the Toulmin Electrical Railway Company's newly patented gate at Woodbrook Station on the Western Maryland Railroad, U.S.A. A special train, which conveyed the party to the station, ran over the plates, which are some distance from the gates The gates were closed or opened according as the train approached or departed from the crossing. The trials were satisfactory.

Uncertainty. The Western Electrician says:-"A second murderer, Charles McElvaine, has been sentenced to death in New York State under the new law providing for electrical executions. No mention is made of electricity in the sentence imposed by Judge Moore. The Court merely said: "And that during the week beginning Monday, December 9th, next hereafter and ensuing, you be executed and put to death by the agent or warden of said Sing Sing prison in the mode and in the manner prescribed by the statute or laws of this State, and the warden of that prison is directed and commanded to do the execution according to this sentence, and according to law.' In the case of the first murderer, Kemmler, Judge Childs sentenced the prisoner to suffer the punishment of death to be inflicted by the application of electricity."