Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1886-03-20 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

LIGHTHOUSE ILLUMINANTS.  kt the last meeting of the Society of Arta a paper was read by Mt. E. Price Edwardson toe experiments with lighthouse illunsmants at the South Foreland in 1884-85. The subject was treated by the lecturer under three headings—namely, the actual sources of light, the mechanical means by which the light was sustained and controlled, and the appliances for utilising the light produced in the manner most serviceable to the mariner. The only illuminating agents that had successfully stood the twit of experiment and earrience were oil, gas, and electricity. In the South Foreland experiments the illuminants used were paraffin oil, cannel coal gas, oil gas, and electric are lights produced by magneto-electric machines invented by Baron de Meritens. After describing the burners, jets, and carbons used, Mr. Edwards noticed the various lenses employed in distributing and intensifying the lights, and went on to review the observations made for the purpose of comparing the respective penetrating powers of the various illuminants. The highest powers employed were Oil, three lights, six wicks; gas, four lights, 108 jets ; electricity, one light, two machines. The lights were exhibited, watched by many observers, and measured by indefatigable photometrists during a period of 12 months. In clear weather all the lights were effective, but the electric light Was pronounced a nUiSaine by mariners at see. In fog and haze the single electric light was found to be most penetrating; and the fixed gas light was superior to the oil light. Although fog absorbed a greater ratio of the electric rays than of the gas and oil rays, yet the higher intensity of the beam enabled it to penetrate a further distance. Having regard, however, to questions of economy and convenience the committee finally concluded that for ordinary necessities of lighthouse illumination mineral oil WAS most suitable, but that for places where a powerful light was required electricity offered the greatest advantages. Upon the conclusion of the paper Lord Rayleigh initiated a discussion by complimenting Mr. Edwards on his able rteund of the experiments, which were themselves of a most exhaustive nature. There were some points which seemed to require further elucidation, particularly the small distance which the electric light was able to penetrate through fog. : Professor Gryles Adams and other gentlemen having offered observations, a vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer, and the proceedings terminated.  MR. HENRY BRAMALL, 58, steel merchant and file manufacturer, Oughtibridge, near ShelSeld, has committed suicide by hanging, alleging in a note that his I self -destruction 'meowing toe horrible charge made by 1 his wife against him. Be was found by two of his eons hanging from a beam downstairs. On the table was a note addressed to his wife, in which, after alluding to the charge she brought against him, he added, As lam going to meet my Maker, I declare, as I have done before, there is no truth in it. Such a thought sorer entered my head. You have tantalised me till I can stind it n, longer. I hope you will never do the same to any other man.—From your honest 1 husband,