Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-04-19
OLD TIME LIGHTS.
Lanterns, Candles and Lamps Have
an Interesting History.

Lanterns, Candies ana Lamps nave
an Interesting History.
The sconce and the lantern were
in general use throughout the Mid
die ages. The sconce was a light, COW
cred and, guarded from the wind.
lifted down by handle and distinct
from the lantern, serving somewhat
the same purpose, but hung by a
chain, says Gas Logic.
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
important industry in Paris.
Noblemen and rich merchants took
to having luxurious little travelling
equipments made for them and among
these were travelling candlesticks and
wash-basins in fine enameled work,
the secret Of which is now lost.
The custom Of having servants car
nv fiambeaux at festivals also became
general about this time and a strange
and tragic incident is connected with
this fashion. At a ball given by
Charles VI the torches carried by
some careless servant came too near
the headdresses of certain persons
dressed as savages and set them on
fire. The unfortunate guests were
burned to death and the king at the
sight lost his reason, a madness
which had a serious effect on the his
tory Of France.
Magic lanterns were invented In
the time Of King Francis 1. A device
on a somewhat similar plan was used
as a sign before shop doors to attract
custom.
Lamps fell into disfavor at the be-
ginning of the seventeenth century
and were only used by the poor and
in passages and in stables where the
smoke could evaporate and a great
deal Of light was needed. Candles
had reached their perfection and can
dlesticks their exquisite form. A can
dlestick of crystal given by Louis
XIV to La Valliere is still in exist
ence, and it was at this time also that
the crystal pendants came into FASH
ion
Street illumination was not serious
ly attempted in Paris until about the
middle Of the seventeenth century.
In the first years Of that notable CEN
tury the streets of Paris were dark.
the rich were escorted by lackeys
bearing torches, the middle-class folks
picked their way, lantern In hand,
while the poor slid along. feeling
their way by the walls.
In his edict of September, 1857,
the king provided that candles In
closed in a cage of glass should be
hung by cords at 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
a bell, struck by a watchman, they
were lighted.
in advance of other cities OF the
world at this time. In London link
boys stood about in public places,
calling out in lugubrious tones, Gen
tlemen, a light!
The origin Of the phrase, holding
a candle to YOU" is somewhat doubt
full, but some authorities trace 1t to
the fact that as the small light stand
had not been devised any one who
desired to read in bed had to have
a servant stand beside him to hold
the candle. One cannot imagine
that reading in bed under these cir
cumstances would be very enjoyable,
certainly not to one who has been
accustomed to solitude and gas Jet
easily turned on or off, but there Is
everything in habit.