Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-11
AHoUsE FULL OF ELECTRICITY.
The Remarkable Inventions That Are in
Daily Use in a New York House.


IF Benjamin Franklin, the electrician
and proverbial philosopher, who snatchSd
lightning from the skies and the sceptre
from the hand Of Solomon, had been one
of the invited guests at the house Of E.
II. Johnson, in Thirty-sixth street, the
other evening, says the New York Tri.
bune, he might have been as astOunded as
Macaulay's New Zealander in the streets
OF modern London. The spectacle of his
kite-led current. as dOcile as the ''slaYes
of Aladdin's lamp" turning wheels and
obeying human wishes in various ways
might have overcome the mperturbability
even of one who was accustomed to stand
before kings. But we have reversed the
spirit of his age, when all that was un-
known passed for the magnificent. For
modern invention has accustomed US to
sup on wonders and rise unsated from the
feast.
Mr.. johnson is practical enthusiast.
Zeal and knowledge 20 not tandem with
him but as q team. Others have lighted
their houses With electricity but he has
turned his into a PandOra's box, "a Para
disc Of daintie devices"
Your fire looks comfortable tonight"
remarked a guest glancing at an open
CRATE that radiated a mellow light. Il
call that my Sellers fire." said Mr.. John
son. "YOu see l have concealed few
electric lamps there in pine shavings. l
intend TO put them inside of camel coal
covered with isinglass, to make the effect
more realistic. We don't need a fire, as
we use the exhaust steam that runs my
machine to heat the house."
at is the spectacle of the burning bush
over again." remarked a well-read OBJ
server. "But more easily extinguished,"
and the host pressed concealed button
and the light disappeared.
On the parlor floor he showed various
contrivances, as useful as they were in
geniOus, for lowering the lights at will
singly or in groups. "All the wires on
this floor run back to these safety catches
in the window seat" added Mr.. johnson.
Il have thus provided against the posi-
bility of being left in darkness by making
each series of lamps on the chandeliers
Independent Of each other.
Il want to show my Landseer by the
electric light he continued. The nearest
lamp was unscrewed from it's socket and
suspended by wire inside of tall pOr-
celain vase. The current being applied
picture Of an Alpine shepherd sur
rounded by his dogs was displayed in
graphic relief like a cameo. Nothing
could surpass the fidelity with which the
light revealed the minutest shading of the
artists brush.
i run IhaI pump Dy an eaectrlc motor
! and keep the upper stories amply supplied
with water. AS tor heat, have enough
steam left over after making my light TO
heat the house thoroughly. Several of
my neighbOrs' houses are wired for the
light, and intend to supply them with 1t
shortly"
At the lunch table later in the evening,
Mr.. Johnson was asked to prOphesy on
| the future of the electric railway. Il
! don't like to prOphesy unless l know" he
said. "Still my opinion is that within
! two years one division of the elevated
| road will be operated by electricity. The
problem has been worked out, except in
| its details"