WONDERS OF ELECTRICITY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 492, 3 November 1881, Page 4

WONDERS OF ELECTRICITY.

The marvels.of electricity are being practically brought home to us by the j wonders of the electrical exhibition in Paris. Messrs Siemens’ electrical tramway is now In full working order between the Place de la Concorde and the Palace of Industry. The j ourney can be made for a few pence, and the tramway is largely patronised, King Kalakaua being one of the earliest passengers; This tramway funs on the street-level like the ordinary horse cars, but the electrical system appears to be better suited to an overhead line. ’ It is easier to insulate, while the advantage, of its relieving the street traffic will be added to those of construction. Electric tramways will probably be largely adopted in all cities before long. Another remarkable feature of this exhibition is the extraordinary ; application of the telephone khd micraphone to the transmission of operatic and theatrical performances. This was tried with success at the Leeds musical festival last year, but on an extended scale it is to be seen in Paris now. Two rooms are fitted up in the exhibition to which ten persons are admitted;in turn —one is connected by wire with the Theatre Francais, the other with the Grand Opera. In both the result is described as most marvellous. The actors are heard with as much distinctness as if the listeners were seated in the stalls; the voices of the singers come “ undiminished in purity, beauty, and force.” The further development of this extraordinary invention is certain, and soon we shall he able to hear our favorite preacher or listen to our favorite opera without leaving our armchair.