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Crompton & Co.—

1st projet

2nd

General Electrical Company, Berlin...

Southgate Engineering Co., London... Societe Anonyme d'Appareillage Electrique, Paris

278,000 381,000 398,489 422,400

1,200,000

For the examination of these tenders there was appointed a commission consisting of the Prince's Director of Buildings, P. Nicoleff, as president, and M. Montochileff, Ivan Gardioff, and V. Lantsky, as members. They recommended that the tender of Egger & Co., of Vienna, should be accepted as the cheapest. But, as already intimated, the figures just quoted were not those of the tenders, but had been reached by the commission by means of additions. Besides, in the report of the commission, the values of the tenders, both those of the offers and the working costs (which were laid down in the tenders and guaranteed for a year), were reduced to normal candles, an arbitrary and worthless basis, especially if we consider that not every firm offered the same number of arc lamps and glow lamps, so that the addition of some are lights in one or other project occasioned a grave modification of the figures per normal candle.

Against this unsuitable and arbitrary procedure of the Commission, a protest was urged from several sides; in the first place by the Edison Company, and also by a local paper, the 'Bulgarie, which submitted the conduct of the Commission to a very sharp criticism. The agitation was sucessful, as the Bulgarian Ministry did not confirm the decision of the Commission, but appointed a new commission to scrutinise the tenders, whereon the president, Nicoleff, gave in his resignation. The new commision is already at work, and its decision is eagerly expected.

SOME NEW ELECTROLYTIC SEPARATIONS.

UNDER suitable conditions, solutions of many heavy metallic salts, when subjected to the action of a galvanic current, are fully decomposed, in the sense that all the metal separates out as such on the negative electrode. This is by no means a new observation, but its application to chemical analysis is of comparatively recent date. By properly regulating the strength of current and the composition of the liquid, it is possible in a great many cases to cause the metallic precipitate resulting from the galvanic decomposition to form a coherent, truly metallic deposit, and, if platinum be used as the collecting electrode, the amount of metal present in the original solution may be determined by observing the increase in the weight of the electrode.

The Germans have paid more attention to electrolytic analysis than have our scientists, and a recent book by Classen, entitled Quantitative Analyse durch Electrolyse has run through two or three editions. Analysis by electrolysis has not been much used in this country, but Luckow's method for copper and another for nickel are recognised as yielding good results.

In the examination and analysis of mixed metals that are closely allied to each other in chemical nature very great difficulty is often experienced in bringing about their separation; to succeed often involves a very tedious expenditure of time. A quick and reliable method of separating such kindred. metals would be a great boon to many a laboratory, particularly in such cases when commercial work is undertaken, and time more than anything else is money.

Two American scientists, Messrs. E. F. Smith and L. K. Frankel, have, during the past two years given much attention to the evolution of a method of electrolytic separation which shall be applicable to the metals generally, and shall be thoroughly reliable. We give a brief résumé of their results.

In the Journal of the Franklin Institute, No. xcviii., page 154, they first described a new method of separating cadmium from zinc. They ascertained that a feeble current of electricity would suffice for the complete deposition of each metal, when alone in a cyanide solution in presence of excess of an alkaline cyanide. Hence, solutions of the

[JANUARY 2, 1891.

double cyanides are employed. The cadmium separates more readily and with a weaker current than is necessary for the zine, the latter not being deposited until the excess of cyanide has been completely decomposed. The excess of cyanide is such that, with the strength of current employed, the decomposition of the alkaline evanide does not take place in less than 48 hours, and as all the cadmium is deposited in 23 hours, the complete separation of cadmium from zine is effected.

In this separation the strength of the current recommended is such that it would evolve 0-3 c.c. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute. This current is sufficient to effect complete separation, copper not being found in any of the deposited cadmium, and the filtrate being quite free from cadmium.

Nickel, cobalt, iron, and several other metals separate easily from cold sulphocyanide solutions when a weak current of electricity is passed through them.

When an excess of potassium sulphocyanide is present in a solution of nitrate or sulphate of manganese a greyish white compact deposit of metallic manganese is obtained at the cathode if a feeble current be employed for effecting the decomposition. Without the sulphocyanide an oxide of manganese is deposited.

Other electrolytic separations were described by Messrs. Smith and Frankel, in the Journal Franklin Institute, No. cxxix., p. 236.

Cadmium may be completely separated from cobalt by passing a current yielding 04 cc. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute for fourteen hours into solutions of these metals, containing also potassium cyanide.

Mercury may be satisfactorily separated from zine; solutions of these metals, containing potassium cyanide (3′0 - 4.5 grammes) deposit the whole of the mercury in about sixteen hours. The current necessary to effect this is such as would yield 0-5 cc. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute.

The separation of cadmium from nickel, and of mercury from nickel is only approximate. Perhaps this may be due to the fact that nickel always contains a certain impurity which, according to some recent researches, appears to be another metallic substance hitherto unknown.

Silver can be separated from copper, zinc, nickel and cobalt only by the use of extremely feeble currents. The separation of mercury from cobalt is only approximate.

Copper can be separated from cadmium, best in the presence of sulphuric acid. The sulphates are used, and a current yielding from 02 to 03 cc. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute gives the best results.

These researches have been continued during the present year. The last account appeared in the American Chemical Journal, vol. xii., p. 428. In order to separate mercury from palladium, solutions of the chlorides of these metals are employed, and as in many of the former cases potassium cyanide is added, so that the precipitate first formed completely dissolves. It is best to have this solvent in large excess. very weak current is employed for bringing about the decomposition; it may vary from one capable of evolving 0·08 cc. to 0-22 cc. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute.

A

Silver and cadmium being metals like mercury, and separating quite readily from cyanide solutions, it was expected that they could be separated from palladium without any particular difficulty, but neither metal could be obtained free from palladium. In fact, the presence of these metals appears to favour the deposition of the palladium from the solution.

In the separation of mercury from arsenic, the precipitate formed on adding a solution of mercuric chloride to a solution either of potassium arsenite or arseniate is dissolved in potassium cyanide and subjected to the action of the current. The separation proceeds without any difficulty. Arsenic cannot be satisfactorily separated from cadmium unless the former exist in the solution as the higher oxide.

The conditions essential for the complete deposition of silver from arsenic are similar to that for cadmium and arsenic. It is also similar for the separation of copper from arsenic, except that an increased strength of current is necessary for the complete deposition of the copper. In this case, the potassium cyanide should be carefully added until the precipitate formed dissolves, and the resulting solution. assumes a pink colouration. It must also be noted that although an excess of potassium cyanide is not harmful, it hinders the deposition and increases the time taken for the

JANUARY 2, 1891.]

current exercises a selective action, and will not deposit the copper till all excess of cyanide is decomposed.

Although copper may be separated from arsenic in a solution containing an excess of ammonia, the method is not recommended, as it requires much skill and close attention to details for its successful performance.

In separating mercury from tungsten, the current should not exceed that which would evolve 08 cc. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute. The precipatate is dissolved in potassium cyanide, and then electrolysed. The conditions are the same in separating silver from tungsten.

The separation of cadmium from tungsten requires that the current should not exceed that which would evolve 06 cc. of oxyhydrogen gas per minute. If it does, the deposits become spongy and the results inaccurate. The strength of current is the same and of equal importance in the separation of mercury from molybdenum and silver from molybdenum, but the tendency to form spongy deposits if the current varied in strength was not so noticeable in the case of cadmium from molybdenum.

Up to the present time no successful method has been proposed for the electrolytic separation of copper from bismuth, but Messrs. Smith and Frankel propose a method which, when carefully worked, gives fairly good results. A solution of copper sulphate added to a solution of bismuth citrate containing an excess of alkali, and the mixture treated with a slight excess of potassium cyanide, can be made to deposit the bismuth without carrying down any copper; but for complete deposition it is necessary that sufficient citrate and alkali be present to keep the solution clear on the addition of the potassium cyanide.

In all the above separations it is recommended that the deposited metal be well washed with boiling water, except in the case of bismuth, when it is advantageous to use cold water and alcohol. The drying should be effected on a moderately warm plate. The current in all cases is best derived from Daniell cells of the "crow-foot " pattern.

These researches appear likely to fill up a distinct gap in the methods of chemical analysis. If the Smith-Frankel method stands the test of practice, as it seems extremely likely that it will, it may possibly lead to other applications of galvanic electricity; at any rate, it is satisfactory to find electricity getting into touch with chemistry in a new direction, for it enhances the probability as well as the possibility of new discoveries.

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT AND THE PARIS MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

In addition to the particulars we have already given on the above subject, the following resolution has been proposed at the Municipal Council by M. Vaillant: "The Council, seeing the proposal of the Councillors of the 11th and 20th arrondissements for the electric lighting of the Avenue de la République, naturally including therein the Place des Pyrénées; considering the advantage it would be to extend to the mairie of the 20th Arrondissement, situated in the Place des Pyrénées, the electric light; also the necessity, in order not to spoil the decorative paintings of the Salle des Fêtes, of avoiding for that hall every method of lighting, productive of smoke and gas, being capable of acting chemically on the colours, request the Administration, including the mairie of the 20th Arrondissement, in the proposed installation of the electric light of the Avenue de la République and the Place des Pyrénées, not to establish in the Salles des Fêtes, while awaiting the electric light, any other form of lighting, which, such as that of gas, might spoil the decorative paintings." This resolution was forwarded to the Administration.

The Popp Company, on the 11th ult., laid on the table of the Municipal Council a petition asking that it might be granted the warming, lighting, and ventilation of the St. Louis Hospital, and also the manufacture of ice for all the hospitals and asylums of Paris. The consumption of ice is an important item, amounting, as it does, to 500,000 kilos. per year. The Popp Company offers to establish the services designated, paying all the installation expenses, asking only the repayment of these expenses by annuities.

The company will not ask a larger sum than that placed

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on the Budget for the warming and lighting of the hospital in question. This proposition was sent to the Third Committee. "It results from this demand and from others from the same company," says a contemporary, "that the Municipal Council has before it two quite distinct companiesthe Popp Company, with a determined capital, and the Compressed Air Company, which has obtained in time the authority to canalise in Paris for its distribution of compressed air. Up till recently it was easy to confound the two companies, for the canalisation trenches bore the words 'Compressed Air and Electricity"; but since that time we believe some foreign capitalists have become largely interested in the Popp concern. This name has alone flourished on the placard in question. The future will perhaps enlighten this business, at present dark for those who do not know the mysteries of the Popp Company."

At the same sitting of the Council (December 11th), M. Patin, representing the National Electricity Company, presented a petition tending to preserve the concession for electrical canalisation granted to it for the Boulevard Saint Michel and Boulevard Saint Germain. This petition was sent to the Third Committee.

NOTES.

Littlehampton and the Electric Light.-Dissatisfaction exists amongst the ratepayers of this Sussex port, both on account of the price charged for and the quality of the gas supplied, and the Ratepayers' Association have been in communication with the House-to-House Electric Light Supply Company, Limited, who have expressed an opinion that it would be quite feasible to introduce the electric light into Littlehampton, both for public and private purposes, and that a single plant capable of lighting about 2,000 10-C.P. lamps or their equivalent at one time could be erected for £8,000. This would include about two miles of underground conductors, which the company would advise, though overhead wires would be cheaper in the first instance. It was pointed out that a start could, of course, be made on a much smaller scale than this if necessary; but the company did not recommend it, as when the plants are very small the cost of running, and consequently the rate that must be charged for the current, was much higher than if a larger one could be used. The cost of gas is 4s. 3d. per 1,000 at Littlehampton.

Hexham and the Electric Light.-At the fortnightly meeting of the Hexham Local Board of Health, on Monday night, a letter was read from the Northern Counties Electric Light and Power Supply Company, asking if the board would allow them to submit a scheme to them for the provision of a general station and plant, distributing mains, &c. After some discussion, on the motion of Alderman Stainthorpe, seconded by the chairman, the matter was referred to the Gas and Lighting Committee.

Another Village Lighted by Electricity.-Abercanaid, a small colliery village near Merthyr Tydvil, which has hitherto been lighted by 14 lamps, costing £4 10s. each per annum, has substituted 25 incandescent electric lamps of 32 C.P. each, costing, altogether, £80. The motive power which lights the village supplies also the Abercanaid Pit, and electrical haulage in the colliery is contemplated.

Electric Lighting in Gravesend.-The opinion of the burgesses of Gravesend has been taken on the electric lighting question, and a majority has decided in favour of the light. The opposition of a few prominent shareholders in the gas company should now be withdrawn, for on every one of their opposing tactics they have been defeated.

Electric Lighting in Maidstone.-The Electric Installation and Maintenance Company has decided not to proceed with its application for a provisional order for the lighting of the town of Maidstone, and in intimating this to the Maidstone authorities, it offers, in the event of the council wishing to carry out electric lighting, to negociate terms.

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The Electric Light in War.-The effectiveness of the electric light as a preventative of night surprises has been again proved by manoeuvres at Jamaica, where after two days (sham) fighting an attacking force was compelled to retire.

Electric Light in a Carpet Factory.-We mentioned last week that Messrs. Henderson & Co., of Durham, have fitted their factory with the electric light. At present it is mainly confined to the dye houses, where it has been found absolutely necessary to improve the light, so that the dyers might be able to judge colours after dark as readily as in the daytime. Here four 2.000 C.P. arc lamps have been fixed, the effect of which is said to be wonderful. In addition to these, 16-C.P. incandescent lamps have been fixed over several of the looms, and it is probable that the light will be installed throughout the whole of the works.

Electricity on the Transandine Railway. The application, to an important extent, of the transmission of power by electricity, is in course of preparation on the section of the Transandine line between Santa Rosa, Chile, and Mendoza, Argentine Republic. The range of the Andes is traversed by a series of tunnels through very hard rock. The drilling machines for opening the highest of these tunnels, at an elevation of 10,150 feet, cannot be worked by coal, owing to the enormous cost of transport, nor is there any water-power immediately accessible. On the Chilian side, at about 1 miles distant from the face of the tunnel, a waterfall of about 590 feet is found. This will work 12 Girard turbines of 80 H.P., and 700 revolutions per minuta each. The turbines will each work a dynamo of 400 volts and 135 amperes. At the face of the tunnel the current is converted into mechanical power by 10 motors, each of 60 H.P., running at 600 revolutions, and working compressors which at the drills compress the air to 6 atmospheres. A similar method is adopted on the Argentine side, the only difference being that the waterfall is but 390 feet in height.

"A Palace of Light."-Under this heading the Vienna correspondent to the Standard says that for the last few days the time-honoured Hofburg has been, after dusk, one great illumination. Experiments are being made with the electric light which has been installed throughout the palace. Incandescent lamps are used; the chief difficulty experienced in fixing them arises from the strict orders against any alteration of the character and outward appearance of the handsome candelabra in embossed golden crystal which date from the time of the Emperor Francis I. In the great Ceremoniensaal there are 27 of these with 54 lights apiece. The difficulty was surmounted by inserting small white lacquered wooden tubes, which resemble candles at a distance, into the old lustres, each tube being fitted with a movable lamp. The entire installation, when completed, will consist of 5,215 incandescent lamps, besides nearly 1,800 lights in the entrance halls, galleries and staircases, or some 7,000 lamps in all. This will be the largest installation in any one building in Europe, and the length of the wires inside the building will be 15 miles.

A Freak of Lightning.—The usual monthly meeting of the Royal Meteorological Society was held recently at the Institution of Civil Engineers. Among the papers read was: "Notes on a Lightning Stroke, Presenting Some Features of Interest," by Mr. R. H. Scott, F.R.S. On January 5th, a house near Ballyglass, county Mayo, was struck by lightning, and some amount of damage done. A peculiar occurrence happened to a basket of eggs lying on the floor of one of the rooms. The shells were shattered, so that they fell off when the eggs were put in boiling water, but the inner membrane was not broken. The eggs tasted quite sound. The owner's account is that he boiled a few eggs from the top of the basket, the rest were "made into a mummy," "the lower ones all flattened, but not broken.”

[JANUARY 2, 1891.

The Electric Light in the City.-The City Press says: "By the arrangement the Commission of Sewers has made with the various electric lighting companies interested, when the companies are in a position to pay 10 per cent. to the shareholders, a reduction will be made to private consumers. The commissioners, we learn, expect that within twelve months the installation will be complete.

Personal. On the 11th ult., at New York, Willoughby Statham, second son of Willoughby Smith, of North Grove, Highgate, was married to Daisy, daughter of William J. King, of Geneva, New York State. Mr. W. S. Smith succeeded his father some three years ago in the management of the gutta-percha works of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, and he was expected to reach Liverpool last Wednesday on his way home.

Electricity Applied to Agriculture.-Experiments on a large scale have, during several years, been carried out by M. Spechnew with the view of ascertaining the effect produced on vegetable growth by the influence of electricity. The conclusions arrived at are::-1. Seeds submitted to the effects of an induced current develop more quickly and more vigorously. 2. The influence of a continuous current is shown in a quicker development, in a more abundant harvest, and in the production of vegetables of enormous size. 3. The slow discharge of static electricity assists plants in assimilating nitrogen. The following table shows the increased yield on various vegetable growths due to the application of electricity, or electro-culture, as it is termed :

The Clothworker's Technical Scholarship. - This valuable scholarship (value £240) has again been taken by a pupil (aged 13) of the St. Thomas Charterhouse Schools. Notwithstanding the competition for this great prize becoming keener year by year, so far, this school has produced the winner. The subjects of examination were mathematics, drawing, science, and the usual English subjects. The committee spare neither pains nor money to give, at a nominal charge, the sons of the artisan classes a thoroughly sound and practical scientific education, and the following incident gives another instance of the success of their work. Recently (October 10th) three or four scholarships offered by the London and City Guilds Technical Institute were won by scholars (averaging 14 years) of these schools.

Telegraphic Interruption.-Through a fire at Woodbridge, Suffolk, telegraphic communication with parts of the Continent and India was interrupted a few days ago for five hours before noon. The wires were then replaced, and communication restored.

The Professorship of Mining.-Dr. C. Le Neve Foster has been appointed professor of mining in the Royal College of Science, London, with which the Royal School of Mines is incorporated.

JANUARY 2, 1891.]

Mr.

The Chelsea Company v. Mr. Chamberlain.-A contemporary in its last week's issue speaks of a visit made, presumably by its editor, to the Chelsea station, and he proceeds to tell his story in a somewhat curious manner. Chamberlain stated that the accuracy of the voltmeter on which he took his readings had been admitted by the officials of the company; this, says our contemporary, is not altogether exact, but we are not informed how Mr. Chamberlain fell into his error. Furthermore, we are gravely told that in the absence of a legal standard voltage may be still said to be a matter of opinion. Will our contemporary state, for the benefit of all concerned, what percentage of difference, in its opinion, is likely to exist between the volt as now determined and what it will be when legally standardised? The true value of the volt is known to within such a close degree of accuracy that it is folly to try to cast doubts upon it; perhaps, however, it is the calibration of Mr. Chamberlain's apparatus which our contemporary intended to imply was not all that it should be ?

Estimates for Electric Light Installations.- Some little time ago, says the Mechanical World, tenders were invited for the putting up of an electric light installation at the Mullingar District Lunatic Asylum, in the county of Westmeath, Ireland. There were two contracts. The first was for the lighting of the whole building by direct current, without accumulators. This included the supplying and fixing of a steam engine of 70 indicated H.P., a dynamo having an output of 350 ampères at 105 volts, and the putting up of 450 incandescent lamps-430 of 16 C.P., and 20 of 200 C.P. The second contract included the supplying of countershafting for driving the above dynamo, and the provision of a smaller dynamo giving 50 ampères at 130 volts, together with a set of 50 E.P.S. cells, switchboards, instruments, and cables complete. In due course tenders were received from a number of well known firms, and the estimates given by them vary to a considerable extent. The highest tender for the first contract amounted to £2,997, and the lowest to £1,310, and for the second contract the figures were £716 and £413 respectively. These results are indeed surprising. It seems almost incredible that in order to obtain the contract for this installation one firm should estimate considerably less than half the sum of the highest tender. In putting up any electric light installation it is impossible for one firm to do the work efficiently at a price much the less than a competing firm; and in the above case we imagine that the details of the installation had not been properly worked out before some of the tenders were submitted. At any rate, it cannot be supposed that one firm will do the work equally as well and at half the price submitted by a competitor. This kind of difficulty might possibly be overcome by a maximum sum being quoted by those who invite tenders for putting up installations.

Pocket Logarithms.-Messrs. Poole and White have sent us copies of the Pocket Logarithm Tables issued by the firm at Christmas. In addition there is the usual Calendar for 1891, and a list of constants and coefficients.

Domestic Electric Lighting.-A consumer, who has recently adopted the electric light, has complained to us (the Engineer) of a disability to which he finds himself exposed, which, if not removed, may have the effect of seriously prejudicing the prospects of electric lighting companies. Many of the lights fitted for him were of 16 candle-power, and he tells us that it is his experience that the carbon filaments of these low-power lights give out after a very brief use. He further informs us that on his applying to the supplying company to redress this liability, he was told that the only way by which he could ensure a longer life for his lamps was to have them increased to 32 candle-power; he being also told that no degree of permanence was to be expected in the case of the lesser power. It appears, also, that the increased expenditure this would involve is not the only grievance of which our informant complains. He tells us that when new lights were supplied to replace those destroyed, he could obtain no allowance whatever, even for the brass work of the old lamps. He had, in fact, to pay de novo. We recite this complaint as it has been made to us, and recommend it to the consideration of all electric supply companies.

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No Electrician There. The Consolidated Electric Storage Company has received the following letter from one of its customers, which, the Electrical World says, indicates in a very striking way what must be met in placing the Julien battery upon the market:-"Dear Sirs, The Hydrometer came O. K. in your directions E.M.F. of charging current should be equal to 2-3 volts. What is E.M.F. or is it 2 thirds of a volt or 2 or 3 volts. We have an Incandescent Street Circuit direct from Denano 94 volts 16-Candle Power. They can put in cut out box that will reduce the curent to 14-Candle Power. We gave it a tryal connecting the Wires to Positive and Negative poles of Battery and the other end to street current. We did not disconnect the wires runing from Battery to Moter. The instant we turned on the current it Burnd the fuse in the cut out box. We saw that would not do so after putting in a new fuse we connected the street wires to Dinamo when Battery wires were disconnected and it Burned the Brushes of Dennano. What size wire to use from Battery to Denamo, is the swich conected to Battery wires before the wires go to Denamo will I stick the Charging wires in the Liqwid or fasten them to Positive and Negative poles of termenals of Battery. Must the wires runing to Battery be disconnected when charging the Battery. I made the solution according to directions I put the Hydrocter in the solution and it went to the Botton of the jars dose it indicate 20 Baume at the time the solution is mixed or after it is fully charged from Street Current let me know how to arrange it so it can be charged from the Current Mentioned. You say to go over the Battery with a battery gauge before starting to charge to see if they are all the same standard I have no Battery gauge therefore Cant say whether they are all alike I would like to know if in the 4 cells that I have and properly connected if it requires more than two wires a positive & negative to convay the curent to Denamo I would like to have pecific instructions In regard to what I ask as we have no Electrecion here that I can get any informotion from. The Electric Light Co. use a number of Different Batteries and are anxious to se the workings of this So do what you can for me as I am determined to give it a fair tryal and whatever your charge is send Bill.-Yours Kindly

Cable Rates and the Pacific Scheme.-In November last, an important deputation from the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce waited on the Postmaster-General of Victoria with the request that the Victorian Government should suggest to those colonies which contributed towards the proposed reduction of cable rates, commencing on January 1st, 1891, that they should accept responsibility for the reduction without further reference to the colonies of Queensland and New Zealand, which have refused to become parties to the arrangement. In reply, the Postmaster-General promised to lay the matter before the Cabinet. He also requested the Chamber to inform him at some future time whether the reduction of rates on the existing cables would be likely to militate in any way against the construction of a Canadian-Pacific line, since it might be a question whether it would not be better to forego any reduction now, than to throw any obstacle in the of a scheme which would be of way such great value to the colonies.

Electric Light and London Fogs.-It appears that the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company managed to meet the demands for extra supply without any special difficulty during the dense fogs which have recently enveloped London. The failure of other companies to do the same will doubtless have the effect of teaching a lesson not likely to be soon forgotten.

A Grand (Piano) Firm.-On Saturday evening last, at the Westminster Town Hall, Messrs. John Broadwood and Sons gave a party to the children of their large staff of employés. The guests numbered about 800, and a feature of the entertainment, much appreciated by the youngsters, was the illumination of the gigantic Christmas tree with about 90 incandescent lamps, and the hall itself with about 100 more hung in festoons under the balcony, the wires being covered with holly and other suitable decorations. The current was gratuitously supplied by the Westminster Supply Company and the temporary lighting carried out by Messrs. Girdlestone, Tatham & Co.

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Proposed Electric Light in Hull.-To test the feelings of the inhabitants in regard to using electric light, it is proposed to canvass the district.

Electricity in the General Post Office.-A writer in the Times, describing the "Christmas work at the Post Office," says that at the chief office of St. Martin's-le-Grand, where the pressure is always greatest, the labours of the staff were perceptibly assisted by the introduction of the electric light in the place of gas. The men breathing a purer atmosphere were able to work with greater vigour, and at the close of their labours the medical attendant found that there was less exhaustion than formerly.

The London-Paris Telephone.-An additional twentyfive miles will complete the English land wires, which have already advanced as far as Ashford on the road from London to Dover. The work is being performed by men belonging to the Telegraph battalion of the Royal Engineers, who number altogether about sixty, and proceed, in gangs, at different points on the route. The route which the cable is to take under the Straits of Dover has been decided on, but the cable has yet to be laid. It is expected that communication will be open by the end of January. There are four wires (erected on the twist principle) the object being to permit two persons to speak simultaneously either at the Bourse in Paris, or at the Royal Exchange in London, at which places the instruments are to be fixed. At night, when the exchanges are closed, the wires will, if necessary, be used for telegraphic purposes.

An Electrical Railway for South Kensington.—The promoters of the South Kensington and Paddington Subway Railway, who withdrew their Bill in the early part of last session, have again made application, with important amendments, for the construction of a subway commencing at a point near the Exhibition Road, Kensington, and terminating in Paddington. A strong directorate is announced, and it is proposed to raise a capital of £276,000.

Central Station of the St. Pancras Vestry.-The electric light committee has reported that good progress has been made in the works at the Stanhope Street Station. It is reported that the engines and dynamos are well advanced,

Man Killed by Electricity at Memphis.-On Christmas eve an unfortunate negro was leaning against an iron post to which a loose telephone wire had been fastened, when an electric light cable crossed the line; the current passed through his body and killed him on the spot.

Destructive Fire in Melbourne.-The premises of the New Australasian Electric Lighting Company in Melbourne have been recently destroyed by fire. The fire broke out about 11 o'clock at night, and was supposed to originate through the fusion of wires igniting the interior of the building. It commenced on the ground floor, whence it spread upwards, and speedily attained such a firm hold that it almost completely gutted the building before it could be subdued. The value of the machinery in the building is stated to be £12,000. There were two 1,200-light and one 600-light dynamos in the building, and these will have to be tested before it is ascertained whether or not they are totally destroyed. It is feared that the damage done will necessitate the procuring of new dynamos, as the magnets (it is stated) are made of double shear steel hardened by electricity, and a softening of the metal will render them useless. Apart from the serious destruction of property, the fire has caused much public inconvenience, as these works supplied the Grand Hotel, the Victoria Coffee Palace, and the Theatre Royal, besides a number of small establishments. The supply of light will now of necessity be suspended till the new premises which the company is establishing at Richmond can be fitted and placed in working order.

[JANUARY 2, 1891.

Commercial Cable Company.-This company gives notice that 1,200 debentures of £100 each of its mortgage debentures were drawn on the 17th December ult., and that the principal sums secured by these bonds will be payable on the 15th inst. This drawing, says the Canadian Gazette, will leave the outstanding amount at £320,000, while the interest charge is reduced by £7,200 per annum.

French Professorships.-We read, says Industries, that three candidates were nominated for a French professorship of electrical engineering, namely, M. Marcel Deprez, M. Hospitalier, and M. Mercadier. Of these M. Deprez was chosen. He was an early worker in practical electricity, but, unfortunately, no one can say he has kept up with the times, or is as conversant with modern theory and practice as one, or probably both, of the unsuccessful candidates. The men regarded as leaders of any profession by the outside world are seldom or never those to whom capable professional critics would give the palm. Industries is right!

The Progress of the Telephone in France.-Up to the end of November last there were 9,200 subscribers to the Paris telephones. The provincial towns where the number of subscribers is largest are:-Lyons, 800 subscribers; Marseilles, 600; Bordeaux, 500; Lille, 450; Reims, 400; Roubaix, 350; Tourcoing, 300; and Nancy, 170. Then come Cannes, Nantes, Saint Etienne, Troyes, Saint Quentin, where there are 150 subscribers; and, lastly, 30 towns where the number of subscribers varies from 50 to 100.

A New (!) Insulator.-Mr. Foree Bain, of Chicago, has invented what the American technical journals call a new high-resistance glass insulator. The outside and inside surfaces are corrugated, which increases the distance from the line wire to the bolt fully 100 per cent.; but where the novelty of this arrangement comes in we are at a loss to determine. It seems as easy, at times, to patent an old and almost forgotten idea in America as it is in the English Patent Office.

Henry Hickman.-Mr. Alfred Stevens, the secretary of MacIvor's Patents, Limited, has written to the Financial Times, stating that this gentleman's name and address are correctly given in the company's register of members, and that if the Post Office have returned any letter so addressed, they have been guilty of gross negligence.

The School of Electrical Engineering and Submarine Telegraphy. We hear that this school has been doing fairly well during the last year, about 40 students joining in the course of 1890, and, with a view to increasing the efficiency of the instruction given to students, some further modifications have been made in the syllabus of the two upper classes, so as to keep up with the requirements of the times, i.e., of further increasing the mechanical engineering part of the teaching. A new 8 H.P. gas engine has been added to the plant, and a further increase in the way of dynamos and transformers is contemplated. It is probable that the school will be carried on under Mr. Drugman, who, during Mr. Carpenter's illness, has had the sole management of it.