Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-03
A Good Thing In the Wrong Place.

To fhe Editor of the Globe Republic.
There is increasing comment upon the
part of the attendants Of the two opera
houses of this city regarding the electric
lights suspended from the proScenium arches
Of both houses. To all sensitive. and even
to most strong eyes, the presence of these
| lights almost on the line Of vision CAUSES
great annoyance. not 10 say absolute pam.
| If there were any other considerations be
yond the possible one II mere economy upon
! the part of the owners or lcsseeS of the
opera houses. there might be some faint eX-
cuse for the use of these lights. But their
employment for the purpose named and in
position in which they are placed is in vio-
lation of ali proprety and artistic taste.
| This will be apparent when little con>id-
Grafton is given to the scientific aspect of
the comparative characteristics Of electric
| light and gas.
Ii is one of the distinguishing features Of
the electric light that il augments sunlight
and positively kills the effect Of gas-light.
To use a very familiar instance for illustra-
!
tion with gas is like throwing open all the
windows of a house during daylight and AT
the same time proposing 10 illuminate the
house with candles or electric lights for the
purpose of properly showing off evening
costumes al day party. Another feature
of the electric light il the fact that it reveals
the true character Of colors. precisely as
does the sunlight. The frescOing decora-
tions and scenery of an opera house are de-
signed and blended With special reference
Ia theiT effect in gas-lght. and all these fea-
lures require the warm and mellow intiu-
ence of the gas To bring out their proper
effects. The same is true of a majority of
the costumes worn by the attendants at such
places, and it is certainly applicable TO
everything worn upon the stage by singers
or performers.
Ii is not forgotten, in this connection. that
the electric light is usually dispensed with
during the time of any performance upon
the stage but in instances like that of the
Orpheus Society concert, last Monday even
ing at Blacks Opera House. both the elec-
tric light and the gas jets were used at the
same time. the result being complete dead
ening of effect as to costume. the imparta-
ton of a ghastly hue TO the faces of the
singers, and generally frigid effect thrown
over the entire scene.
Notwithstanding the prominence which
many persons would give Ia the above
/ a g fl.aN-
tain to decoration. costumes and personal
appearance the object of this com
munication j, to call attention 10
the exceedingly detrimental effect of this
arrangement to the eyes. and of the useless
ness Of the electric light for any purpose
and at any time in which this penetrating
illuminator is placed in front of the be-
holder anywhere near the line of vision or
between the audience and the objects which
| il wishes to see. Ii the electric light is
employed by our opera houses through any
other consideration than that of economy ii
would be interesting for the community 10
know it. 1t is very certain that those who
are compelled to sill for from one and half
to two hours in position 10 catch its pierre
ing rays, would willingly forego any other
imagined advantage for DEMONSTRATION of
comfort TO the eye-sight and the prcserva-
ton of their visual organs. As stated at
the outset the inconvenience and absolute
pain of the average bcholder at our opera
house entertainments on account of these
| lights is a matter of vehement and daily
comment oPTICS.