The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-12-10
soMn rIaHrs OF OTHER DAYS.
History OF seonees, Lanterns, FIau-
beaux and Lamps Briefly Told.

I
History OF seonees, Lanterns, FIs@-
heaux and Lamps Brteay Told.
The sconce and the lantern were IN
general use throughout the middle
ages. The sconce was light. convey.
ell 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 candle sticks and
wash basins In fine enameled work.
the secret OF which Is now lost.
The custom Of having servants carry
nambeaux 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 care
less servants came TOO near the head,
dresses OF certain persons dressed as
savages and set them on Are The un-
fortunate guests were burned TO death
and the king. at the sight. lost his rea-
son. a madness which had a serious
effect on the history OF France.
Magic lanterns were invented at the
time OF King Francis I. A device IN
a somewhat similar plan was used as
= 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 candlesglcks
their most exquisite form A candle
stick Of crystal given BY Louis XIV to
La valliere Is stin In existence and II
was at this time also that the crystal
pendants came into fashion.
Street Illumination was not seriously Z
attempted In Paris until the middle OF
he seventeenth century. In the first
Tears OF that notable century the
streets OF Paris were dark The rich
we're escorted by lackeys bearing
Orches. the middle class folks picked
heir way lantern In hand. while the
'oor slid along. feeling their way by
he walls In his edlct Of September, R
667, the king provided that candles
nclosed In a cage OF glass should be
lung by cords at the height OF the first
tory OF the house. three lanterns for
very street. one at each end and one
D the middle. At the sound OF bell
truck BY a Waterman they were light
d
Paris was. however. considerably in
dvance Of other cities OF the world
I this time In London link boys
TODD about in public places calling out
lugubrious tones: Gentlemen. a
ghtP'
The origin Of the phrase. holding
candle to you." Is somewhat doubt
ii, but some authorities trace II to
he fact that as the small light stand
ad not yet been devised any one who
esired to read Tn bed had to have a
srvant stand beside him to hold his
lndle- One cannot imagine that read
g in bed under these circumstances
ould be very enjoyable, certainly not
} one who has been accustomed to
'litude and a gas Jet easily turned
j or or, but there is everything In