A NEW ILLUMINATOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 806, 30 November 1882, Page 2

A NEW ILLUMINATOR.

Hardly have we recognised the electric light as an accomplished fact (says the Engineer) before we are startled by the invention of yet another great light. An eminent analytical chemist in Havre, whilst making trial of a new compound, accidentally spilt some of it upon a sponge. The sponge was removed to a table upon which the sunlight wa» streaming, and nothing further was thought of it until late ,at night the chemist, happening to go into , the room, was astonished at seeing a bright light on the table, which illuminated most of the room. He found that the light proceeded from the sponge, and instantly concluded that it was from his new compound. He immediately fetched the latter, but to his surprise found it gave no light. Deter mined to ascertain the truth he .took the sponge and examined it microscopically, when he found that the light proceeded from a large number , of minute crystals. Shaking a few drops of his compound upon another sponge/ and examining it with the microscope, he could not at first see anything, but upon bringing a light to bear upoiilt he detected faint traces of crystals; So. intent was he upon prosecuting hi| study it was daybreak before he coukjP tear himself from the task. ‘ The following day he saturated both sponges with the compound, and exposed 6ne to the sun’s rays, leaving the other in a dark room, and was rewarded by finding the sponge that had been posed emitting a very beautiful light, far exceeding gas in softness and power. Since then he has made tker experiments, and exhibited thp light in front of his premises, many hundred persons viewing it, amongst whom were the Mayor, Chief of Police, aiM* . other dignitaries. Arrangements have now been made for illuminating' Havre wjth the new light, 20,000 francs hayipg been voted for that purpose. The. ir-s vention has been perfected so that light is increased or concentrated means of mirrors and lenses to a very great extent. The modus operands seems simply to be that the rays of the sun are absorbed by this new : compound, which emits light for exactly .that number of hours it has been it sorbing it. The new light will, it Tf | said, prove the cheapest and best of ;any yet produced.