A new system of practical domestic economy.

Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new system of practical domestic economy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    78/508 (page 62)
    lindrical body suited to the size of the lamp; and four or five coils should be placed on the wick, and the remainder of the wire above it: the latter will be the part ignited. When the wire has become oxyded, it will be necessary to uncoil and rub it bright with fine glass-paper, which will cause it to act again with increased effect. This lamp, while it affords a sufficient light to shew the hour of the night by a watch, and to perform many other useful services, does not disturb persons unaccustomed to keep a light burning in their bed-rooms. But discovery on discovery is rushing into light, for Professor Meinacke, of Halle, has succeeded in producing a brilliant illumination by means of electric light, and with the aid of an artificial air enclosed in glass tubes. As the electric sparks propagate themselves to infinity, the Professor thinks it will be possible to light up a whole city with a single electrifying-machine, and at a very trifling expense, by the adoption and probable im- provement of the apparatus he has already in- vented. Nor are Heaven and earth alone ransacked to enlighten the world—water has also been pressed into the service, as we find that an apparatus called the American Water-Burner, has lately been in- vented by Mr. Morey, of New-Hampshire. It is a rough blow-pipe ; but is applicable in many cases in place of a furnace. Tar is intimately mixed with steam, and made to issue from a small jet, in the manner of an eolipile; and the stream of matter, being ignited, produces a flame of great size and intensity. It appears that the water is partly de- composed towards the middle of the jet, and that the heat is thus increased, by increasing the quan- tity of active agents. But whatever the exact