THE ELECTRIC LIGHT SUPERSEDED.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3535, 6 November 1882, Page 4

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT SUPERSEDED.

Hardly have we recognised the electric light as an accomplished fact (says the Engineer) before we arc 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 was 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. Determined to ascertain the truth, he took the sponge and examined it microscopally, when he found that the light proceeded from a large number of crystals. Shaking a fendrops 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 •upon it, ho detected faint traces _of crystals. So intent was he upon prosecuting his study, it wa3 daybreak before he could tear himself from his task. The following day ho saturated both sponges with the compound, and exposed one to the sun's ray?, leaving the other in a dark room, and was rewarded by finding the sponge that had been exposed emitting a very beautiful light, far exceeding gas in softness and power. Since then he has made further experiments, and exhibited the light in front of his premises, many hundred persons viewing it, amongst whom were the Mayor, Chief of Police, and other dignataries. Arrangements have now been made for illuminating Have with the new light, 20,000 francs having been voted for that purpose. The invention has been perfected so that the light is increased or concentrated by means of mirrors and lpn=o3 to a very great extent. The modus operandi seeme simply to be that the rays of the san are absorbed by this new compound, which emits light for exactly that number of hours it has been absorbing it. The new light will, it is eaid, prove the cheapest and best of any yet produced.