Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-05
SOME LIGHTS OF OTHER DAYS
Looking Back to the Era of ~ScOnces,
Lanterns, FlambeRux and
Lamps.

The sconce and the lantern were in gen
eral use throughout the middle ages. The
sconce was a light, conveyed and guarded
from the wind, lifted down by the handle
and distinct from the lantern, serving
somewhat the same purpose, but huns by
a chain.
Lanterns in the thirteenth century were
made Of gold, silver. copper OF iron, accord
ing 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 equip
ments made for them, and among these
we're travelling candle sticks and wash
basins in fine enameled work, the secret
OF which lie now lost.
The custom of having ervants carry
flambeaux 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 car
ried by some careless servants 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
erect on the history OF FRANCE.
Magic lanterns were invented at the time
of King Francis 1. A device on a some
what similar plan was used as a sign be-
fore shop doors to attract custom.
Lamps fell into d~isfavor at the beginning
of the seventeenth century and were only
used by the poor and in passages and
stables where the smoke could evaporate
and a great deal of light was needed.
Capdlaa than raachad thatr narfactiop and
candlesticks their most exquisite form. A
candlestick Of crystal given by Louis XIV
to La Valliere is still in existence and 1t
was at this time also that the crystal
pendants came into fashion.
Street illumination was not seriously at
tempted 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 we're escorted by
lackies 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 pro-
vided 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 a bell struck by a Waterman they were
lighted.
Paris, was, however, considerably in ad-
vance 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 lightr'
The origin of the phase. holding q
candle to you." lis somewhat doubtful. but
some authorities trace 1t 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 can not
imagine that reading in bed under these
circumstances would be very enjoyable
certainly not to one who has been accus-
toned to solitude and a gas Jet easily
turned on or off. but there is everything In
habit-GaE Logic.