The New York herald., 1879-12-31
Random Shots at Many Things-The
PretenderS Of Science.
VIEWS OF A BOLD INQUIRER.
A Merry Scientific Supper---CarbOn, Crackers
and Clnpea Infumata.
THE HORSEsHOES STILL SHINING.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.


al directions the wonderful electric light"
Nearly every tram that stopped brought delegations
of sightseers until the depot overrun and the
narrow plank road leading to the laboratory be-
came alive with people. In the laboratory the
throngs practically took possession of every
thing in their eager curiosity to learn all
about the great invention. In vain Mr.. Edison
sought to get away and do some work. but no sooner
had he struggled from one crowd than he became
the of another equally nquisitive The as
sistants likewise were piled with questions until
they were obliged to suspend labor and give then-
selves to answering questions. Not little
trouble experienced in keeping the crowds from
damaging the various apparatus in the laboratory.
Requests and notices not to touch handle were
nnavaiing. One of the best Of the vacuum pumps
was broken by some meddlesome strangers.
who, during the temporary absence of the attend
ants. began experimenting ON their own account.
STREET LAMPS.
Four street lamps were last night added max
ing six in all which give out the horseshoe light
in the open air. Their superiority to gas is ap-
parent. both steadiness and beauty of illumina-
tion that every is struck with admiration. The
laboratory Office and machine shop and the houses
of Mr. Bachelor and Mrs. Jordan, all illum-
mated. the total number OF lights being sixty.
The house OF Mrs. Jordan, situated the
laboratory. has been thrown open for the accommo-
dation Of guests and having several of the electric
lamps in operation Affords perhaps. the best view Of
the light in actual household use.
SCIENTIFIC VISITORS.
Among the visitors were a number Of scientific
gentlemen who minutely examined the Light in all
its parts. Their opinion as well as tho
opinion unanimously expressed by the nom
scientific was that Edison had in reality
produced tho light OF the future. Although the
ventor has fixed no day for general inspection by
the public at large. desiring not to be completely
overrun with visitors to the impediment Of his
work. the public exhibition may be said be actu-
ally going on now, many hundreds have already
come and hundreds more coming. and i'm
pediments are thrown in the way Of those who de-
sire to satisfy their curiosity.
-., WI EDISON.
Now let me tell the story of night with Edison.
The last visitors had departed aud Menlo Park was
in its normal solitude. The two gray-bearded old
mon who had stood conversing-it seemed to me all
day and all evening-at the head Of the steps leading
down the bank to the railroad track gone away.
Great clouds swept tho sky and the
light from the hotel and grocery of Deacon
DAVIS the dim glare of the random
kerosene lamp. All the electricity seemed to have
died out of the place, and looked about for possible
occupation. Edison had gone to his house below
an hour before; the boys up at the laboratory had
morning. but still l walked in the direction of the
shops there of life there in the lights
at the windows Some people at work thought,
for I drew nearer could see shadows fitting
upon the panes. Then heard the notes OF an
organ and who would believe it in these days
of progress. and above all ut Menlo Park the
notes that came were those Of 'Pinafore." The
little outer Office where they test tho telephones was
tenantless. In the distance a solitary, aproned
figure stood before the small furnace. where they
bake the little carbon horseshoes, ascended tho
stairs. At the far end Of the long apartment which
had exchanged its electric brlance for light Of
occasional gas jet scattered about eight or
nine of the assistants, lounging on stools and
benches aud at the extreme end, seated before the
organ one OF them rolling out the too familiar
melody. Then this is what came to my ears:-
MAoGREooR-
am the Wizard of electric light.
And wdeawate Wizard. too.
Iseey rather bright and appreciate the might
Qradruplex telegraph or funny phonoaraph,
with IDEAS / evolve aud problems that solve
I'm never never stunped you SEQ
What nevers
MAcGnEGon-
No. never!
What, novers
MAcGnEGoR--
A groan escaped from my bosom, and tho limo was
left uncompletcd. 1t is evident. thought, that
Edison is not coming back tonight. They called
out to me. and came forward shocked. positively
shocked. And there trace of apology for this
desecration of the fame Of In the tones of
Mr. Bachelor when no said:--
Were having little music. Sit down and join
u.s."
MacGrogor at tho organ still rolling OF
"Pinaiore." then switching Off, into Strauss and
bar bavn fui1 ~
"we're going to have grand piano hero for tho
boys shortly. That organs frightlully out Of
tune"
80 IL was. and the sturdy Mac like the organ.
but the boys listened to him intently Josefy's
audiences. Van Cleef down tho shop holding
black piece or iron in tongs. 10 laid 1t OH
bench to cool. for it not long out Of the fur
mace. Then he took one like IL and began unscrcw-
ing 1t to place tho cardboard horscshoes in that
to be carbonizod. Bohm. tho glassblo wer.
up In his best attire
''Say. B0hm, bring up your zIthor." said George
Crosby. who all day long had been working the dol
cate vacuum pumps aud now rested lor n space.
"Up heref" said Bohm. blushing; ''play here,
now9" looking over doubiully at mc.
"Cio aheadl" said Bachelor, ''that organs in
terrible stato."
MUSIC AND MATTER.
Bohm brought up tho either from tho glass house
and laid it the bench before him. Crosby forced
MacCiregor away from tho organ. The German lad
SAT down and tuned the strings.
al had good teacher ut Donn," he said. slowly,
"but forget much."
lie began to play. and all the griny faces bent for
ward TO listen. IL was u quaint German serenade,
that sounded rs though far away from tho focal
point of materialism we occupied. There was some-
thing of dreamy moonlight the Rhine In tho
tinkIing treble and moaning bass strings.
"Thats lovely musc." said MacGregor.
''ii0hm." said Bachelor. "play something elso
with those shake in IL; they go right down my
back"
''Shek notes2 What is thatY'
''rremolo," Isuggeated He played again an OK