OUR HOME LETTER.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3428, 24 November 1879, Page 3

OUR HOME LETTER.

(fkom ovvl own correspondent.) London, October 7th.

I am a firm believer in tho electric light. I hnve seen it, and therefore believe; and now that Mr Edison has made another great step in advance— namely, making raetnl stand a greater heat by five times than it would before he manipulated it—the time is not so very far distant when gas will not be thought of for streets and lar^o buildings. But gas shnreholders need not despair. We are now in Kngland using gas for cooking and heating to an enormous extent, and very soon shall use it to an equally large extent as a molive power. Already there are in use 12-horse power gas engines, and if 12, why not 100 horse power ? Steam is got up quicker, there is no necessity for storage of coal, and dirt and waste are unnecessary—talk about gas being useless because electricity is to supersede it as a light ?—the idea is absurd, and so people think, for shares are well held. There is no doubt but there will be a good supply of these gas engines at the beautiful Exhibition at Sydney, and I should advise all users of steam to see them.

The theatres are opening now in full" vigour for the season, and a description of the comforts now provided by some of the West End houseß for their patrons, is enough to make people pay their money to see the place alone. The St. James', for instance, opened last night. The entrance hall has a well polished parquet floor, with an Indian carpet in the centre, walnut wainscoting, carved walnut chimney, pictures, mirrors, and I hav'nt room to "describe all the luxuries therein, and tho same costliness is carried out all through the building. Upstairs we have marbles, embossed leathers, bevilled glass, crimson plush, silks, laces, and really too much to describe, and it would only raise wishes to see it, would it not? Mr Irving has begun business (after a long holiday enjoyed with Baroness BurdettCoutts, partly in the Mediterranean, in her handsome yacht) with the old and mournful play of " Tho Iron Chest," and his friends say that his Sir Edward Mortimer is one of his best creations. He promises us " The Merchant of Venice." There is rather a tendency just now to serious drama, but whether it will hold or not is another thing. The opera bouffe party have had a good innings. There are good signs of a revival in trade, and it is about.time, when money has been for weeks at ■§• and 1 per cent. on. the Exchange, Would'nt it be useful at that price in your quarter of the world ? Oh the railways, docks, and public improvement that could be carried out I And it would be a good thing for capitalists hero too, if confidence generally could be restored. But, as the old song says, " There's a good time coming." We must hope that it is, and that it won't be long about it. Her Majesty is staying at Balmoral as usual at this time of the year. TBe Prince and Princess of Wales, and their younger children, are in Denmark, where there is quite a family party, the Princess' sister, Princess Bagmar, and her husband the Grar-d Archduke of Russia, being also there, the little cousius of Guelphs and Eomanoffs enjoying themselves immensely. But a many of the wellknown leaders of fashion will soon be in town now, and opera, drama and bail will bo in full swing before these pnges arc in type.