The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-11-14
SOME LIGHTS OF OTHER DAYs.

History of sconces, Lanterns, Elan.
beaux and Lamps Briefly Told.
The sconce and the lantern were In
general use throughout the. middle
ages The sconce was a light, convey
ed 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 Inn
portant industry in Paris.
Noblemen and rich merchants took
to having luxurious little travelling
equipments made for them, and among
these were travelling candle sticks and
wash basins in fine enameled work,
the secret of which is now lost.
The custom Of having servants carry
f1ambeaux at festivals also became
general about this time and strange
and tragic incident is connected with
this fashion. At 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-
~ 1I, ho6 iny10
effect on the history of France.
Magic lanterns were invented at the
time of King Francis I. 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 stables where the smoke
could evaporate and great deal Of
light was needed. Candles then reach
ed their perfection and candlest1cks
their most exquisite form. A candle
stick of crystal given by Louis XIV to
La Valliere is still in existence and it
was at this time also that the crystal
pendants came into fashion.
Street illumination was not seriously
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 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,
1867, the king provided that candles
inclosed 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 bell
struck by a Waterman they were light
cd.
Paris was, however, considerably 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: Gentlemen, a
light"
The origin of the phrase, 'holding
a candle to you," is somewhat doubt
full, but some authorities trace it to
the fact that as the small light stand
had not yet been devised any one who
desired to read in bed had to have a
servant stand beside him to hold his
candle. One cannot imagine that read
ing in bed under these circumstances
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.-Gas Logic.