Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-13
THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS.

The sconce and the lantern were IN
general use throughout the middle
ages. The sconce was light. con-
veyed and guarded from the wind.
lifted down by the handle. and distinct
from the lantern, serving somewhat the
same purpose. but hung by chain.
Lanterns In the thirteenth century
were made OF gold, silver, copper or
iron, according TO the means OF the
owner. The light in the latter was
shielded from the wind by thin sheets
OF horn. Lantern making was an i'm
portant industry In Paris,
Noblemen and rich merchants took
to having luxurious little travelling
equipments made for them. and among
these were travelling candesticks and
wash basins In fine enameled work. the
secret of which IL now lost.
The custom OF having servants carry
liambeaux at festivals also became gen.
eral about this time, and strange and
tragic incident is connected with this
fashion At a ball given by Charles
vi the torches carried by some care
less servants came too near the head
dresses Of certain persons dressed as
savages and set them on fire. The un-
fortunate guests were burned TO death,
and the king, at the sight. lost his rea.
son. madness which had a serious ef-
feet on the history Of France.
Magic lanterns were invented at the
time OF King Francis |. A device on
a some what similar plan was used as a
sign before shop doors TO attract Gus
tom.
Lamps fell into dsfavor at the be.
ginning of the seventeenth century,
and were only used by the poor and In
passages and stables where the smoke
could eyaporate and a great deal Of
light was needed. Candles then reached
their perfection, and candlestlcks their
most exquisite form. A candlestick OF
crystal given by LouiX XIV TO La VAL
Here Is stu In existence and II was
at this time, also, that the crystal PEN
dants came into fashion.
Street illumination was not serious
ly attempted In Paris until the middle
OF the seventeenth century In the first
years Of that notable century the streets
OF Paris were dark The rich were es-
corted by lackeys bearing torches. the
midde-class folks picked their way
lantern In hand. while the poor slid
along, feeling their way by the walls.
In his edict OF September, 1867, the king
provided that candles Enclosed IN cage
W tAHs7N SHputd NC uuHE DN fOluS ut
the height of the first story OF the
house, three lanterns for every street,
one at each end and one In the middle
AT the sound OF bell, struck by a
Waterman, they were lighted.
Paris was, however, considerably IN
advance of other cities OF the world az
this time. In London link boys stood
about IN public places calling out I'm
lugubrlous tones Gentlemen. a
lghtW
The origin of the phrase, holding
candle to YOU" Is somewhat doubtful
but some authorities trace il 10 Inc
fact that as the small light stand had
not yet been devised, anyone who de-
sired TO read in bed had to have a selv-
ant stand beside him Co hold his candle
one cannot imagine that reading i'm bed
under these circumstances would be
very enjoyable, certainly not to one who
has been accustomed to solitude and a
gas jet easily turned on or of: but
there Is everything in habit"--Gas
Logic,