The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-17

wood Or Two ON LGHT.-Olnce tne'
foundation of the world, when the Deity
said, 'Let there be light" and whereupon,
the good book tells us, "There was light"
the subject of artificial light has been
much vexed question. The late excitement
on the subject of gas, has called genera al at
tention to the subject; and we give the fol-
lowing facts, believing that they will be OF
much interest to the rising generation, at
least:
GAs.-Was first evoled from coal by Dr.
Clayton, in 1879, and was first employed
for purposes Of illumination by Mr. Murdoch,
in Cornwall, England, ia lf92. The first
display of lights was exhibited in 1902, in
Birmingham England, on the occasion of
the peace rejoicing. 1t was permanently
used in Manchester in 1906. 1t was intro
duced into London streets ia 1906, and was
in general use in 1872. Mr.. David Melville,
of Newport, r. L., is said to have been the
first person to introduce gas light into this
country. In the year 1872 he lighted his re-
sdence in Newport, factory in Pawtucket,
and Beaver Tell Lighthouse in this way.
THE LIME I1GHT.-A new, brilliant and
very economical light has recently beea
tested on large scale. 1t is described as
more powerful than the gas from oai,giying
an intensity of brightness with steadiness,
continuity and diiiusiveness-in short that it
is in every way practically available for the
ordinary purposes of life. The new light is
obtained by projecting jet of oxygen and
hydrogen, or oxygen and carburetted
hydrogen gases combined, upon surface of
lime, and so from crumbling away, as to in
sure, with perfect regulating the supply and
protecting the lime continuity, maximum
brilliancy of intensity. The .power of illu-
lnination is immense, single jet OF medium
size being equivalent to the light of four
hundred wax candles of four to the pound.
1t is represented to be peculiarly adapted for
coast lights, steamers, sailing vessels, rail-
WAYS, signals, bridges, wharves, churches,
factories, public rooms, squares, large and
important thoroughfares. For its p0r tabi.
lily, it is eminentIy adapted for military
operations in the field, both in attack and
defence of important positions, as well as the
service OF the sea generally. On the score
of expense, the saving is very great. The
lime light costs two cents an hour, coal gas
eight cents, and oil thirty cents, for the
same amount of illumination! expert |
ment and etfulgent display are doscribed as
surprising the expectation even of the most |
sanguine.
The DRuMMoND LIGHT The common
'oxyhydrogen" Calcium and "Drum-
mond" light IS simply the combustion of
hydrogen and oxygen gases on a piece of |
prepared lime. 1t produces the most bril- |
liant chemical light known. An improve !
ment in the process of producing this light |
has been made. 1t consists in admitting the |
gases to the lime under great pressure, by |
Il force pump, and in order that the lime |
against which the flame OF the ignited gases |
strikes may progressively rotate, and pre-
sent consistently fresh surfaces to the jet, |
motion is given to the lower disk or cup in
W hich it rests, and an upper disc is employed |
to press on the upper surface in such man
ner that this plate may rotate freely with it. |
There are 245 gas-light companies in the
United States, with an aggregate capital OF |
$40,O00,O00. The price OF gas ranges from |
So so to 81 per thousand feet. There are !
but comparatively few instances, however,
where the price exceeds 81.
GEOLOGY AND Cas- Geological formations |
are going on at the present day, the same as
in ages past. Large swamps of vegetable |
matter are changing into peat, peat is hard
ening into Ignite, and Ignite is being trans
formed into coal. In some places, rocks are
being formed by deposits at the bottom of
the ocean; in other places rocks are being
slowly raised above the level of the sea-
And here within ten iailes OF us is an i'm
mense swamp which soon or late will be an
extensive bed OF coal, from which ineXhaust-
able supplies of gas can be extracted, and
abont which any quantity OF gas. can be writ
ten even now.