The morning call., 1894-09-16

was possessed of talent, If not genius
The lions heads are all alike in size and
general appearance, but each has diff
ferent expression. showing that all were
not made from the same model. Down
the edge of the lantern-frame the design
is carried in a modified form, all of the
work being executed with strength and
originality.
The bronze is of the finest quality, and
aftsr all these years of exposure TO the
salt winds of the Pacific is still free from
the smallest pit IL is doubtful if such
bronze can he cast to-day IN any but the
foundties that make specially of works
OF art. However. the beauty of the bronze
does not show in this case as the rules of
the department for many years have COM
relied 1T TO be kept painted black. This is
TO be regretted, and IS In reality entirely
unnecessary, but the lighthouse ms pectors
say the cGrnice is intended for use and not
for an art exhibition.
The Point PiEuS lighthouse is what is
known as a station OF the third order,
although it is located 10 a most important
position. The lamp is the original one
placed in position forty-two years ago, and
Is vi the ordinary three-wick pattern, in
vented by Thomas Comvin. 1t is made
entirely of brass, and the oil is forced to
the wicks by weighted float. The lamp
is all exceptionally COED one, and has never
given any trouble during It's many years of
continuous service.
Surrounding the lamp Is tense that was
made in France in 1850 at cost of $1,000.
It magn fies the fame of the lamp TO 1900
candl"- power, and is said to produce the
most perfect, steady, white light of any
lamp on the coast. On many occas ons the
light has been seen at Santa Cruz, nearly
twenty miles, and it shows a rematk sbly
great distance through a fog. A strange
thing about the performance is the fact that
the lenses Were broken several places in
the long journey from France to their
present p0siGOn. None of the fractures
are exactly in the focal plane. but several
OF them are most serious and look as if
they would entirely destroy the efficacy of
the glass.
Although the Point Pinus lighthouse
has had grea. number of keepers, they
have all performed their duties with eX-
ceptional diligence. No case is on record
OF when the lamp failed to burn for
single night. At present the station is IN
charge OF Mrs. NJ. L. Fish. lady we'll
known in San Francisco and Oakland,
who has held the position tor over year.
During her term of office Mrs. Fish has
made many improvements about tne place,
and has kept everything in the best OF
order She attends to the lamp herself,
and on stormy nights never leaves the
tower, lest for sIngle moment the flame
should be extlngul, he'd and some weather
beaten ship lose its course and be dashed
OIL the rocky coast. She keeps the brass
work OF the lamp shining like gold ana the
lenses polished like diamonds. Not speck
Of dust can be found anywhere, and even
the paint on the walls fairly giisIen.
When Mrs. Fish first took charge of the
Point PinuS light she found il surrounded
by only sand and wild flowers, but one
yenr has worked marvellous change. She
has laid out garden thai, under the in
huenee OF an abundance of water, has be-
come perfect mass of flowers Neat
gravel walks lead up 10 the house. aud a
! fountain splashes day and night. Instead
OF being trial, life at Point. Pinus has
| been made pleasure.
The general appearance of the light
| house and surrounding buildings produces
| an artistic etfec', ana at the same time i: