THE PROGRESS OF ELECTRICITY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 232, 29 September 1881, Page 4

THE PROGRESS OF ELECTRICITY.

In a previous letter, a month ago, I noticed the singular experiment successfully made by M. Faure, a French savant, to store up and convey to Edinburgh a quantity of electricity, estimated at one million foot pounds. That this feat marks an important stage in the progress of the Bcience, is, I think, undoubted ; and that commercial men see their way to doing something is evident from the fact that an office and showroom have been taken at Charing Cross for the purpose of educating the public mind on the subject. I have myself seen the establishment, and on first entering cna is inclined to think that the problem of dividing the electric lighb for domestic purposes has been solved ; for ranged round the room are regular gas bracketp, carrying small pear-jbaped vacuum globes, about three or four deep, and in which small horseshoe Bhaped filaments of carbon are rendered incandescent, giving out a light at once brilliant and clear, and yet not too strong for the naked eye As a matter of fact, these burners are realiy those invented by Edison, and improved upon by Mr Shaw, of Newcastle ; their weak point being that the filaments oi carbon in a few months disintegrate and fall to pieces, and as this may occur at any moment, it, of course, is a fatal objection to their use. There is no doubt, however, that ultimately some means will be found of rendering these carbons more permanent ; and, when this is the case, gas as a means of lighting will be on its last legs, and one more enemy to human life will be trodden under foot. The lights at present displayed by M. Faure and his friends are produced by electric accumulators on the premises and it was stated to me that the coat was about one-half that of gap. On this point, however, I am sceptical ; I am inclined to think the results if carefully estimated would be found a good deal the other way. The batteries now in stock, or that could be supplied by the company, vary in price from £8 for one up to £4000 for 1000. Each batfery contains about a quarter-horse-power; it can be re-charged for 2|d, but it is hoped to coon reduce the price to Id or even less. The power thus stored up can be applied, with the aid of simple machinery, to driving or working any kind of machine. Thus, four guch batteries once charged would drive s sewing machine for a week, or forty would drive an omnibus carrying 24 passengers for three hours. Of course the whole thing is in its infancy at present, and obviously cannot complete with the other prime motors now in use, but that ultimately electricity will light and heat our houses, drive our trains along the iron road, and our ships across the briny ocean, I entertain no manner of doubt whatever ; and, moreover, that the great forces of nature existing in the winds and tides will be utilised for storing it up ready for use as required. Fifty years will see such a revolution in these matters as we, in these days, can scarcely realise. ■• ■*■— r-r i _..i'H~tt» -i uix-t,—Uil-' l . I .J 'KiMtill^lDaHrHmttMUU^