The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-31
THE STORY OF LIGHT
EARLY ScoNcES AND LANTERNS,
cANplEsTlckS AND LAMPS.

Tragic Incident of the Ancient
Custom of Carrying Flambeaus at
Festival. - Origin OF the Phrase.
.Holdfng q Candle to You.
There was a panic Of curious origin
about the beginning of the eleventh
century. 1t was widely believed that
the year 1000 would witness the end OF
the world. and this superstition caused
a very general stagnation OF industry
and commerce. Such panics have oc-
Cured at irregular intervals ever since,
the last one being within the memory
of the present generation and inspired
by Mother Saipton's prophecy:
The world to an end shall come
In eighteen hundred eighty-one-
However. as soon as people became
convinced that the world was not real
" going TO come TO an end In the year
1000, they resumed their work and
play. and the making of lamps and
candlesticks. like other manufactures.
entered upon an era OF prosperity.
Monasteries were famous schools for
this work, as for all other forms Of
handicraft, and paid peculiar attention
10 the identifying of lamps and can
dlesticks because of their usefulness In
church services. During the eleventh
century Dinant. in Belgium. became
famous for its copper work, and some
OF the most beautiful chandeliers OF
this period were made there. AT about
this time the "couronne des lumiercs,
or circle Of lights hung from the cell
ing became a common device for light
ing a church, and some OF these are
exquisite works OF art.
In this period, too, various devices
for improving and shielding the light
came into use. Our ancestors were
very practical people. and II some of
their utensils appear to us somewhat
singular it is because we do not under
stand the purpose for which they We're
used. 1t Is rare indeed to find any
| cumbersome addition to a lamp or
candlestick which has not its use. The
old time silversmiths and copper work
ers did not spend their strength on
mere decoration.
The sconce and the lantern were In
! general use throughout the middle
| ages. The sconce was a light covered
and guarded from the wind, lifted
! down by a handle, and distinct from
the lantern, serving somewhat the
same purpose. but hung by n chain.
Lanterns in the thirteenth century
were made of gold, silver, copper or
iron, according to the means of the
owner. The light in them was shield
ed from the wind by thin sheets of
horn. Lantern making was an imper-
tant Industry In Paris.
At this time, too, noblemen and rich
merchants took to having luxurious
little travelling equipments made for
them, and among these were travelling
candlesticks and wash basins In this
fine enameled work. the secret OF
which Is now lost.
The custom of having servants carry
fiambeaus at festivals also became
general about this time, and a strange
and tragic incident Is connected with
this fashion. At ball given by
Charles vi. the torches carried By
some careless servants came too neal
the headdresses of certain person,
dressed as savages and set them or
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 history OF
France.
Magic lanterns were invented In the
time of King Francis l. A device on Z
somewhat similar plan was used as o
sign before shop doors to attract Gus
tom
| I.amr~ 60" TT" discover Mt the begin