The wire was then connected with a storage battery of 62.5 volts, and to insure its becoming fully charged, was left on closed circuit for half an hour. Next the galvanometer was introduced into the circuit, and at some carefully noted time, the circuit was broken. After a certain period, say, 30 seconds, the key was closed for an instant and the throw of the galvanometer was noted. After another like period a second reading was taken, and so on for a considerable time. It may be remarked here that the fall of potential is so slight in short periods, that the deflections are, within the limits of errors of observation, proportional to the lengths of the periods; consequently, even if there should be large variations in the lengths of the separate periods, the summation of the readings for, say, five minutes will remain practically a constant. This constant for five minutes was found to be within two of 210 (210 ± 2), which would make the value for a period of 30 seconds within two-tenths of 21 (21 ± 0·2).

It was noticed that if the readings were begun before the charge had become practically a maximum, that the readings were somewhat larger, but became rapidly less, and in the course of half an hour had almost reached their minimum. If considerably longer periods were chosen, it was noticed that there was a perceptible falling off even after an hour; but for the shorter periods of 30 seconds this falling off was not noticeable after half an hour.

The usual formula for rate of loss of charge is

753

The first method applied to this was a total failure. There was no readable deflection of the galvanometer. On applying my method the deflections were quite large at first and decreased for several hours. After four hours they had fallen to about one-third of the value which they had 20 minutes after the charging began. There was evidently considerable absorption.

In presenting this method, I would call attention to what I consider its chief advantages over the more common methods. In the first place, supposing that the wire has sufficient capacity to admit of the use of the method, we may apply it in any case when the first method (the direct deflection) would fail. The higher the insulation resistance becomes, the more easily is this method applied, for it requires simply that the observations be taken at greater time intervals. Absorption of the charge causes no inconvenience beyond making it necessary that the wire be left charging during a longer time. In the second place, it is far more accurate than either of the other methods; and, when there is added to these the extreme simplicity of the calculations, which are made without recourse to Napierian logarithms, it would seem as though the worth of the method were established.

Laboratory of Physics,

University of Michigan.

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE Highways Committee reported as follows:

SUBWAYS.

We have considered an application from the National Telephone Company to be allowed the same space in the Northumberland Avenue subway as has been accorded to it in other subways. The company is willing to pay for this accommodation a rent of £9 10s. a year, which is in accordance with the scale of charges recently laid down by the council. We see no objection to this, and therefore recommend that permission be given to the National Telephone Company to use a sectional area, equal to 1 square foot, in the Northumberland Avenue subway, upon the same conditions as were attached to the council's consent to the use by the company of other of the council's subways.

An agreement, embodying these conditions, for the use by the company of the subways in Queen Victoria Street, Victoria Embankment, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Northumberland Avenue, and providing for the payment by the company of an aggregrate rent of £161 10s. a year in respect thereof, has been prepared by the solicitor; and we recommend that the seal of the council be affixed to this agreement.

USE OF SUBWAYS BY COMPANIES AND OTHERS.

On the 10th of February last we reported upon the reference made to us by the council on the 2nd December, to consider and report upon the advisability of the council applying to Parliament for powers to compel gas, water and other companies to place their pipes, wires, &c., in the subway of Rosebery Avenue, and to enable the council to charge a rent for such user. We then stated that in our opinion any application made on the subject to Parliament should have relation to all the subways of the council, and should not be limited to that in Rosebery Avenue; and we referred to the opposition to such a measure which had on previous occasions been offered by the gas and water companies. Upon a careful reconsideration of the matter, we are of opinion that a further effort should be made by the council to obtain the powers referred to. We accordingly recommend that it be referred to the Parliamentary Committee to prepare a. Bill, giving the council power to require that where there are subways in any thoroughfares, gas, water, and other companies shall lay their pipes, wires, &c., in such subways, and shall pay to the council a rent in respect of the user of the subways; such rent to be agreed upon, or, in case of difference, settled by arbitration of the Board of Trade..

ELECTRIC-METER TESTING STATION.

It is necessary, for the testing of meters and for other purposes, that a supply of electric current shall be obtained from the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company to the council's testing station in Cranbourne Street. The company's Mid-London order, under which it supplies the area within which the station is situated, enacts that every owner or occupier of premises requiring a supply of energy, shall serve a notice upon the undertakers, specifying the premises to be supplied, the maximum power required, and the date for the commencement of the supply. We are advised that, in order to comply strictly with the requirements of the order, the council should serve such a notice upon the company. We submit a form of notice which has been prepared by the solicitor, requiring such supply to the electric meter testing station as from 1st July next; and we recommend that the seal of the council be affixed thereto; and that the notice be served upon the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company.

754

NOTICES UNDER ELECTRIC LIGHTING ORDERS AND ACTS. The St. James and Pall Mall Electric Lighting Company has asked that in the case of service lines from distributing mains the one month's notice specified in the company's order may not be insisted upon, and that in place thereof the council will accept four days' notice. The council has acceded to similar applications made by some of the other electric lighting companies, and we are of opinion that this also may be acceded to. We recommend that the St. James and Pall Mall Electric Lighting Company be informed that the council will, until it gives notice to the contrary, accept four days' notice (instead of the one month's notice required by the company's order), of the intention to lay service lines from distributing mains already laid; and that the Highways Committee be authorised to deal with such notices on behalf of the council.

We have considered a notice (Registered No. 203), dated 11th May, 1891, from Mr. H. Robinson, on behalf of the Vestry of St. Pancras, under the St. Pancras (Middlesex) Electric Lighting Order, 1883, of intention to lay mains in Osnaburg Street, Hampstead Road, Euston Square, Melton Street, Chester Terrace and Place, Cumberland Place, Outer Circle, Gloucester Terrace, Park Street, and High Street, Camden Town (3 plans, D, E, and F). Some of the streets referred to in the notice are on Crown property and therefore under the control of Her Majesty's Office of Works, and over these the council has no jurisdiction. The proposed works are similar to those approved by the council on the 16th of December last, on the application of the vestry; and, seeing no objection to them, we recommend that the council do approve the works referred to in the notice (Registered No. 203) of the Vestry of St. Pancras, dated 11th May, 1891, under the provisions of the St. Pancras (Middlesex) Electric Lighting Order, 1883, so far as relates to such thoroughfares as are under the jurisdiction of the council.

We have also considered a notice (Registered No. 204), dated 14th May, 1891, from the Westminster Electric Supply Corporation, of intention to lay mains in Carpenter Street, Mayfair (1 plan, No. 172). There appears to be no objection to the proposed works; and we recommend that the sanction of the council be given to the works referred to in the notice (Registered No. 204), dated 14th May, 1891, of the Westminster Electric Supply Corporation, upon condition that the company do give two days' notice to the council's chief engineer before commencing the work; that the mains be laid under the footways whenever it is found practicable to do so; and that the covers of the street-boxes to be used shall consist of iron frames filled in with material to suit the paving.

:

The Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company has given two notices as follows:-May 26th, 1891 (Registered No. 205), of intention to lay mains crossing High Street, Notting Hill, from the north side to No. 47 on the south side (1 plan, No. 42A). May 28th, 1891 (Registered No. 206), of intention to lay mains in Pembridge Square and Place, Westbourne Grove (part of), and Pembridge Villas (part of) (1 plan, No. 28A).

The proposed works are unobjectionable, and we recommend that the sanction of the council be given to the works referred to in the two notices (Registered Nos. 205 and 206), dated May 26th and 28th, 1891, respectively, of the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company, upon condition that the company do give two days' notice to the council's chief engineer before commencing the work; that the cover stones of the culvert shall not be less than 2 inches thick; and that where the culvert crosses the carriageway there shall be at least 9 inches thickness of Portland cement concrete above the cover stones of the culvert, in addition to the road material.

Notices, as follows, have been received from the Kensington and Knightsbridge Electric Lighting Company:-May 18th, 1891 (Registered No. 207), of proposed extension of mains in Brompton Road (1 plan, No. 190A). 29th May, 1891 (Registered No. 208), of proposed extension in Thurloe Place (1 plan, No. 192a).

There is no objection to these works, and we recommend that the sanction of the council be given to the works referred to in the two notices (Registered Nos. 207 and 208), dated May 18th, 1891, and 29th May, 1891, respectively, of the Kensington and Knightsbridge Electric Lighting Company.

We have also considered a notice (registered No. 209), dated June 2nd, 1891, from the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company, of intention to lay mains in Edgware Road and Place, Hall Place, Church Street, Paddington Green, Harrow Road, Victoria Street, Albert Street, Green Street, North and South Wharf Roads, Praed Street, Cambridge Place, Bouverie Street, Junction Place, Sale Street, Market Street, Star Street, Upper Southwick Street North, Grand Junction Road, Upper Porchester Street, Tichborne Street, and Burwood Place (1 plan, No. 829). The proposed works are similar to those of this company previously approved by the council, and we recommend that the sanction of the council be given to the works referred to in the notice (registered No. 209) of the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company, dated June 2nd, 1891, upon condition that the company do give two days' notice to the council's chief engineer before commencing the works; that the mains be enclosed in iron pipes or efficient casing, and be laid under the footways wherever it is found practicable to do so; that as an additional precaution against accident through defective insulation of the mains, each of the street boxes shall be provided with an inner as well as an outer cover, the two insulated from cach other as far as practicable; and that the outer cover, which shall consist of an iron frame filled in with material to suit the paving, shall be efficiently connected to earth.

We have also to report the receipt of a notice, dated May 15th,. 1891, from the London Electric Supply Corporation, given in accordance with the resolution of the council to accept four days' (instead of one month's) notice in respect of the laying of service lines from maius already laid, of intention to lay a service line to No. 25, Buckingham Palace Road.

LEGAL.

[JUNE 12, 1891.

Nickel Plating and Electrotyping.-In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, on Friday last, June 5th, Lord Kyllachy had before him an action by John Denby, stereotyper and electrotyper, 4, Swinton Row, Edinburgh, against Ernest Scott and Mountain, Limited, engineers, Close Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for £500 damages. The pursuer is a stereotyper and electrotyper in Edioburgh, and the defenders are marine, electrical, and general engineers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Up to the end of the year 1890 or the beginning of 1891 the defenders' business was carried on under the name of Ernest Scott & Co., and thereafter under the name of Ernest Scott and Mountain, Limited, and Ernest Scott & Mountain have accepted the position and liabilities of Ernest Scott & Co. Ernest Scott & Co. had exhibits of their electrical manufactures, and in particular of dynamo machines, at the Edinburgh Exhibition of 1890, and the pursuer made enquiries of their attendant in charge as to their ability to furnish a dynamo suitable for use in his busi ness of electrotyping. On being assured that they were able to furnish such a machine, the pursuer, in June, 1890, entered into a correspondence with Ernest Scott & Co., informing them that he was in business as an electrotyper, indicating the extent of his business requirements, and enquiring whether they could furnish him with a dynamo adapted to these requirements. In order to be adapted to the requirements of electrotyping it is essential that a dynamo shall be capable of depositing the necessary coating of copper, having s smooth, tough surface, on one or more moulds simultaneously, in the course of from three to five hours. Some correspondence passed between the pursuer and Ernest Scott & Co., with the result that that firm undertook to furnish the pursuer with the article required st the price of £55, payable six months after delivery. The article was described by them as being their No. 5 plating dynamo. The dynamo was delivered in the middle of September, 1890. The mschine was expressly sold for the specified and particular purpose of being used in the pursuer's business as an electrotyper. After the contract was completed and the dynamo was ready for de livery, Ernest Scott & Co. requested the pursuer to enter inte an ancillary memorandum of agreement, whereby in respect that the purchase price of £55 was not to be payable till six months from the delivery of the dynamo, it was agreed that the company should remain owners of the machine until full payment of the price with interest, charges and expenses, and any other sums that might be due to the company. Accordingly the pursuer entered into the ancillary agreement. On receipt of the dynamo the pursuer had it fitted up in his workshop in a suitable manner, and proceeded to use it for the purpose of his business. The machine, however, failed to do what it ought to have been able to do, viz., to deposit copper properly on the moulds prepared by the pursuer. The pursuer repeatedly wrote to the defenders complaining of the inability of the dynamo machine to make the deposit. In answer to his complaints they took up the position that the machine was perfect, but that the pursuer had not the skill necessary for its proper manipulation. In consequence of this the pursuer, in deference to the defenders assertion of superior knowledge, refrained from immediately rejecting the machine, and did everything in his power to discover and remedy the supposed defect in the manipulation. On 8th November, 1890, the defenders wrote the pursuer a letter, in which they state: "When you ordered the dynamo from us we were under the impre sion that you might probably require the machine for nickel-plating as well as copper depositing. We therefore constructed it in such manner that it would be suitable for both purposes, as when plating nickel it is necessary to have an E.M.F. of about 6 volts to get the metal to adhere firmly at the commencement." They conceded that the deposit at that time would not be satisfactory, and to make it so they suggested that the pursuer should purchase from them a resistance coil, which would, as they asserted, control the power of the machine, and have the effect of making it deposit properly. The pursuer, as the defenders well knew, had never given them the slightest reason to suppose that he wanted the machine for nickel plating, but being anxious to do what he could to get the machine to work well, obtained the resistance coil from the defenders, and tried various experiments at the defenden suggestion to render the dynamo efficient as an electrotyping machine, but without success. Thereafter he discovered that the machine could not be made suitable for use in electrotyping, that its being adapted for nickel-plating was, as the defenders must have been aware, absolutely fatal to its use in electrotyping, and that the defenders' expedient of furnishing a resistance coil involved an admission on their part of knowledge that the machine was not adapted for electrotyping. He therefore called upon the defenders to remove it, and this they did on 14th April, 1891. The dynamo is defective and unfit for the specified and particular purpose for which it was furnished in respect that-(1) It was constructed both for the purpose of nickel-plating and electrotyping. A dynamo machine constructed for nickel-plating is not suited for electrotyping. (2) The dynamo furnished a current of too high an electromotive force for electrotyping, and caused the deposit of copper to take a granular form instead of presenting a smooth tough surface. (3) It could not pro duce a satisfactory electrotype sooner than twelve or fourteen bours whereas it should produce one within three to five hours, according to the quantity of moulds in the bath. In consequence of the dynamo being defective and unfit for its purpose, the pursuer has suffered great loss and damage. Just at the time when he ordered the machine the pursuer had secured a very large and lucrative order for electrotypes. and had the machine been even approximately conforming to contre the pursuer would have easily been able to supplement the order, and to make a large profit thereby. He was, however, through the breakdown of the dynamo, unable to execute the order, and the work 2 taken from him. Several of his customers had left him on account of the bad work he produced in consequence of his using the

JUNE 12, 1891.]

dynamo; to others he has had to give discounts from his accounts, also on account of the bad workmanship. He spent a great deal of time and money in endeavouring to get the machine to work properly, and employed his engine at the work also at considerable expense. Further, his business has sustained such loss and damage that it will take a very considerable time before it can regain its former position. The pursuer estimates his loss on the above grounds at £500.

The

The

In answer to these statements, the defenders say that at the end of December, 1890, they purchased the business carried on at Close Works, Newcastle, by Ernest Scott & Co., of which firm Mr. Ernest Scott was the sole partner, and are now carrying on the same. defenders admit that Ernest Scott & Co. had an exhibit of their manufactures, including dynamo machines, at the Edinburgh Exhibition of 1890, and that the pursuer made some enquiries of E. S. Loves, then attendant in charge of the exhibit, as to dynamos for electrotyping purposes. The attendant gave him a price list, and said he could give Ernest Scott & Co. full particulars of what he wanted. The defenders further admit that the firm of Ernest Scott & Co., on pursuer's order, supplied him with a No. 5 plating dynamo on September 18th, 1890, on the hire-purchase system, at the hire of £55, payable six months after delivery, the dynamo to remain the firm's property until paid for. The defenders say the machine was not sold by Ernest Scott & Co. for any specified and particular purpose, nor did pursuer state to them the nature of his business or its requirements. The defenders never entered into any contract with the pursner, or adopted any contract or assumed any responsibility or liability in respect of any contract entered into with him. The defenders believe that the dynamo was not suitably fitted up, and the engine to drive it and the bath were not suitably fitted and arranged. The dynamo required to be fitted up with a resistance coil, and to have a resistance inserted between it and the bath. pursuer ought also to have had a voltmeter and an ampèremeter, to measure the pressure and the current respectively. The pursuer's gas engine ran irregularly, its speed increasing at the time of the explosion of the gas, and gradually decreasing until the next explosion, with the result that the current was irregular, and the deposit consequently granulated. The dynamo ought to have been fitted up with a flywheel to ensure steady running, and this was explained to the pursuer, but he said he could not go to the expense. He ought also to have had the necessary instru ments to ascertain the density and temperature of the solution in the Lath, and to keep the solution agitated. If he failed to obtain a satisfactory deposit, it was entirely due to his lack of knowledge, his want of skill in manipulation, and to the absence of the necessary instruments. The machine supplied by Ernest Scott & Co. was an excellent one for its purpose, and was in perfect order. The defenders admit that the pursuer got from them a resistance coil. They further admit that the pursuer called on the defenders to remove the machine, and that they did so on 14th April, 1891. This was in consequence of a threat by the pursuer's agent, that unless it was removed in three days he would present a petition to the sheriff for warraut to remove and sell the machine by public auction, and under an express agreement with him that the removal of the machine was without prejudice to the rights of parties. The threat was a device on the part of the pursuer's agent to enable him to found jurisdiction in Scotland against the defenders by arresting the machine, which he did immediately on its removal from the pursuer's premises. The defenders plead that they never entered into the contract with the pursuer, for the alleged breach of which he claims damages, and never adopted the same or assumed liability in respect thereof.

Lord KYLLACHY sent the case to the roll for discussion and proof.

The New Telephone Company.-Mr. Higgins, Q.C.' on Saturday, applied to Mr. Justice North, under Section 29 of the Companies Act, 1862, for an order staying the proceedings in the winding up of this company. He said it was an application not often made, but he did not think there was any difficulty about it, the liquidation in this case being under the supervision of the court. The applicants were two contributories, and the liquidator was the respondent. The whole of the debts proved amounted to £5,223 Ss. 3d., the principal debts being £4,000 in respect of certain patents, due to Prof. Silvanus Thompson and others, but these had now been released, and Prof. Thompson was one of the two petitioners. This only left £1,173 17s. 7d., which would be paid in full, there being one asset, and, in fact, the only one, which might be of considerable value if the company went on, but which would be utterly worthless if the company were wound up, as it consisted of a license from a public body. All the shareholders but four had already signified their consent to the application. One thousand pounds had already been provided for paying the debts, but, of course, the small balance would have to be found so that the creditors might be satisfied, and he should ask that the order be made not to be drawn up until an affidavit was produced by the liquidator showing that all the debts had been discharged.

His LORDSHIP said he would make the order when such an affidavit was produced. The petition need not be mentioned again.

NOTES.

Cricket. A cricket club has been formed by the employés of Messrs. Laing, Wharton and Down. Challenges are invited from any clubs in the electrical trades.

755

New Swiss Electric Railway.-An electric railway on the overhead system has just been inaugurated between Sissach and Gelterkind, in the canton of Basle. The power is obtained from a fall of water.

Liverpool Electric Lighting.-At the monthly meeting of the Liverpool City Council, held on the 3rd inst. at the Town Hall, the Mayor (Mr. Joseph B. Morgan) presiding, the Watch Committee brought forward a scale of charges for testing lines and mains recommended by them to be made under the Liverpool Electric Lighting Order, 1889, and this schedule was passed by the council without discussion, on the motion of Mr. H. H. Hornby, the chairman of the Watch Committee.

Mill Lighting in China.-Mr. G. A. Woods, writing from Shanghai, says "the first cotton spinning and weaving mill erected in China is to be lighted throughout with incandescent lamps, the number used being 1,200. The order was placed with an American firm, and after their supplying their usual quality of material, it was promptly condemned by the fire office. The order was then placed in the hands of Mr. James Price, engineer to the new Shanghai Electric Company, whe, if I am correctly informed, has placed the order with Messrs. Crompton and Co., of Chelmsford and London."

Liverpool Electric Laboratory.-At the meeting of the Fire, Police and Lighting sub-committee at the municipal offices, Liverpool, on the 1st inst., the city engineer further reported as to assistants to the electric inspector, Mr. Yeaman, and suggested that Mr. T. H. Tarleton, of Waterloo, be permitted to remain in the electric laboratory of the city engineer's department as a pupil during the pleasure of the committee. This was unanimously agreed to after Mr. Taileton had been called before the committee. An item of £38 1s. 7d. for further fittings and equipments to the laboratory was then passed without discussion, and the committee proceeded to other business.

The Paris Telephone Service.-If the statements made by the Independance Belge are correct, there is certainly room for improvement in the working and management of the Paris telephone service. Since the opening of the line this Brussels paper has received a portion of its London correspondence by telephone via Paris, but during the last two or three weeks there have been frequent irregularities in its communications from London. This is mainly attributed to the action of the English postal authorities, who allow stockbrokers to monopolise the line to the detriment of the press, and "contrary to the regulations by virtue of which communication must be granted successively to each of the persons who desire it."

Lightning Shocks in Belgium.-M. F. Evrard, chief engineer and director of the telegraph service, and M. L. Lambotte, telegraphic engineer, have just published a sixth paper on their observations as to lightning shocks in Belgium. One of the conclusions at which they arrive is that the network of telephone and telegraph wires considerably decrease the dangers of lightning in towns served by then, and that the supports and buttresses put up by the Stat constitute effective lightning conductors for the buildings on which they are placed. The most effective lightning conductor, according to Messrs. Evrard and Lambotte, is that invented by Melsens. On this subject we may mention that Article 88 of the Budget of the province of Brabant for 1891 provides a sum of 10,000 francs for the placing of lightning conductors on communal buildings, and as a number of these buildings are not provided with protective apparatus, a number of lives will probably be saved each year by this determination.

REVIEW

Society of Arts.-Under the will of Dr. Fothergill (1821), funds were bequeathed for the offer of medals for subjects, in the first instance, relating to the prevention of fire. A Society's gold medal, or £20, is now offered for the best invention having for its object the prevention or extinction of fires in theatres or other places of public amusement. In cases were the invention is in actual use, reference should be made to places where it could be inspected. A full description of the invention, accompanied by such drawings or models as are necessary for its elucidation, must be sent in on or before the 31st December, 1891, to the Secretary of the Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, London. The council reserve the right of withholding the prize in case there is nothing in their opinion deserving the award, or sufficiently complying with the conditions, sent in for competition.

Electrical Progress in the North.-Messrs. Ernest Scott and Mountain, Limited, Close Works, Newcastle-onTyne, have, we understand, secured the contract for the lighting for the Bolton Technical School, the installation to consist of two of their improved type Tyne compound-wound dynamos with fast and loose pulleys and heavy turned flywheels, each-machine being capable of running, if required, up to 200 16-C.P. lamps; the installation itself will consist of 220 16-C.P. lamps with fittings. The firm have also the contract in hand for the lighting of the Armagh Spinning Company's Mills in Armagh, Ireland, the installation consisting of one Tyne compound-wound dynamo for 400 16-C.P. lamps and 380 incandescent lamps and fittings. They are also lighting Mr. Walter Jones's house at Blakemere, Cheshire, throughout; this installation will be very complete, the motive power consisting of a horizontal steam engine and boiler with automatic expansion gear and Tyne dynamo for 90 16-C.P. lamps, accumulators for 80 lamps and 110 lamps throughout the house, stables, &c. The same firm are lighting Messrs. Edwards Dry Docks at South Shields, the installation which they are now erecting being specially designed to enable the repairs of oil ships to be carried out with safety, it not being possible to use oil lamps in holds where petroleum vapour exists, on account of the risk of explosion. In addition to the above work, we understand that Messrs. Ernest Scott and Mountain, Limited, are extremely busy in their electrical department, having just completed a large hotel in Huddersfield, and also having in hand three large installations in progress in Scotland.

The Proprietor of the English Language.-The proprietor of the Electrical World, W. J. Johnston, has seen fit to bring a suit against us (Electrical Age) for exercising our right to change our title from the Electric Age to the Electrical Age. Mr. Johnston seems to claim a proprietorship of the English language. He fancies that he has an inalienable right to the word "Electrical," and that any person using it commits a wrong and ought to pay damages to his paper. When he was invested with this sovereignty over the English tongue he does not inform us. Fortunately for our esteemed contemporaries, the Electrical Engineer, the Electrical Review, the Electrical Industries, the Electrical North West and the Electrical Enterprise, we resisted this remarkable claim, and in an action brought by Mr. Johnston against us, we have been sustained by the courts. The Electrical World, in its suit against us for an injunction, made a motion to enjoin us before Hon. George P. Andrews of the Supreme Court, and Judge Andrews not only denied their motion, but wrote the following opinion:"It is certainly very doubtful whether the plaintiff will succeed in this action, and I do not think an injunction should be granted before the trial. Motion denied, with $10 costs to defendant to abide the event of the action." Not content with this, Mr. Johnston appealed to the General Term of three judges, who sustained the Court below and also denied his motion with costs. The Appellate Court deemed his complaint so little worthy of attention, that they did not deign to write an opinion on so contemptible an insinuation.

'Correction. In the conclusion of the article on the Electrical Works of the Place Clichy in last week's issue of the REVIEW, for + 2 × 40, p. 725, read + 2 × 0 = 0.

Engine Cranks.-The English Mechanic last week stated that a patent had been obtained by Mr. H. E. Walter (8720, 1890) for an invention by which the speed of train is reduced by the reaction produced by causing Foucault currents to be induced in the rail by magnets carried by the train with their poles in proximity to the rail. The two poles are in a line parallel with the rail, and are so set that magnetic lines of force pass through the rail from out magnet to the other. The magnets are excited by storag batteries or a dynamo on the train. We have been under the impression that if anything more was wanted with regard to the speed of trains, it was an increase, if it cou be safely accomplished and would prove commercialy advantageous. But that there can be found a man in thes days of enlightenment who seriously believes that he is going to slacken the velocity of a train by the means abov described, passeth all understanding.

Faraday's Magneto-optic Phenomenon.-Some mortis ago an American physicist, Mr. Sheldon, showed that the magneto-optic phenomenon of Faraday, namely, the electromagnetic rotation of the plane of polarisation of light was reversible. A luminous ray polarised rectilinearly, and of which the plane of polarisation is submitted to a rapid oscillation gives rise to in certain substances an oscillating magnetic field. which will produce a current in a coil traversed by the luminous ray. The application of the telephone has enables: the existence of this current to be recognised, but its intensity is naturally very feeble. Professor Mais has beet describing this new phenomenon to the Electro-technical Society at Vienna. He has endeavoured to see whether the optic theories enable it to be demonstrated a priori, c whether the fact may be taken for granted, as well as the theory which it gives rise to. According to the Professor the theory elaborated by Sellmayer, Helmholtz, &c., in which the existence of dyssymetric friction forces in the ether is admitted in order to explain the phenomenon of circular polarisation, is susceptible also of furnishing a simple an natural explanation of the new phenomenon. Professer Mais has been entirely won over to the electro-magneti theory, of which he regards Sheldon's new phenomenon as a strong confirmation.

The Use of Lead Amalgam in Accumulators.Mons. Nézereau has recently been again directing h attention to the subject of accumulators. It will b

remembered that his earliest work referred to the use of juxtaposed amalgams. The active material of this modified accumulator consisted of spongy lead which was o tained by eliminating mercury from an amalgam of ded (Hg: Pb 1 : 2); this was fused and the cold crystalli mass was then powdered and compressed into a grating s in a frame and after being hardened by immersion in dilute sulphuric acid and subsequent exposure to the air the pr pared plates were then ready for the action of the form current. These early accumulators of Nézereau, it may be remembered, had a capacity reaching as high as 25 amper hours per kilogramme of plates, but they were costly make. Nézereau has observed that in the case of accur~lators in which spongy lead is the active material, the material in the positive electrodes, especially in the neighbo hood of the supports, is very rapidly acted upon chemical moreover the agglomerated materials do not form with th metal a sufficiently intimate and conducting layer. He fi that it is only necessary to cover the polar surfaces with a spongy layer of 4 millimetres thickness, for this dista appears to be the limit of the destructive action of charging current. He still considers that the most efficaci conditions would be realised by employing amalgams of but he recognises that there are very great practical difficult:to be contended with.

JUNE 12, 1891.]

Steamship Lighting.-The Union Steamship Company have recently launched from Denny & Co.'s yard, at Dumbarton, a new R. M. steamer, named Scot. This is without doubt the finest steamship yet built for the Cape trade. The ship is lighted throughout by electricity, and the ventilation, which is effected by electric fans, is all that could possibly be desired.

Very Much a Lightning Stroke.-A correspondent writing to the editor of the Scientific American says that on the evening of April 25th last, during a violent thunder storm, the lightning struck the lightning rod on a dwelling house, followed the rod until it came to a defective insulator, then entered the house, striking a friend named Mr. Roode about half an inch back of the ear and burning its way the entire length of his body, then through a wool mattress, splitting a hard maple bedstead, afterward passing through various parts of the house until it reached the water pipe. After four hours of skilful work Mr. Roode regained consciousness and is on the road to recovery. His body is now so heavily charged with electricity that he can impart to any one taking him by the hand an electric shock equal to that received from a powerful battery.

The Engineer of the Future. Since the introduction of electricity into common, matter of fact, every-day life, the demands for economical power, says W. D. Tomlin in Practical Electricity, have pressed hard on the brain of the constructing engineer. Some men have boasted that steam as a motive power is doomed, and its days are numbered; that electricity is the coming power. Perhaps it is; but the recent developments tend toward the employment of stupendous steam power to produce electricity; simply because electricity can be distributed at a far less percentage of loss than any other motor. You cannot carry steam 200 feet without considerable condensation, but you can distribute electricity nearly 200 miles, and at the point of distribution your amperes will be almost initial. You cannot transmit horse-power by gearing, rope, belting, or otherwise without a loss of power by slippage, friction, or kindred causes; but you can distribute electricity through 10 miles of lines, and give to each renter his pound of electricity through a small dynamo, just in proportion as his contract calls for. Young men, I can assure you of one thing: Go into the city and ask for employment as engineer; almost the first thing you are asked is, "Dou you know anything about taking care of a "No." dynamo or electric plant ?" Well, we don't want you. Good morning!" It has become almost a necessity that an engineer should know something of electricity if he expects to secure employment. Look through any prominent engineering journal, and you will find from a dozen to fifteen. Corliss valve gear motions. An adjunct of the Corliss engine is the indicator; and the time is rapidly coming to us when an engineer's education will be incomplete who cannot use an indicator and adjust the valves of his engine. What the stethescope is to the doctor, the indicator is to the engineer. Both the professions are thus enabled to examine the breathing organs of the patient. The use of an indicator, while reflecting credit on the engineer who can use it, is a possible benefit to the steam user and owner, because thereby the coal pile is considered. The owner gets the full benefit of every pound of fuel saved, the saving being a bonâ fide transaction, often affecting the balance of a set of books from a debit to the credit account. The time is close at hand, Mr. Tomlin predicts, when an indicator will be a part of the engine room outfit, and a daily engine log be as carefully kept as the double entry set of books in the general office.

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Cable Items. The ss. Silvertown is taking on board cable for the Western and Brazilian Telegraph Company, and she is expected to leave the Thames next week. The ss. Duchess of Marlborough will leave Siemens' works with cable for the West India and Panama Company to-morrow morning. The cable companies generally seem now to be fairly busy with orders for home and abroad.

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Electrical Exhibition at Taunton.-The Taunton Electric Lighting Company has adopted a suggestion of Mr. Massingham (its managing director), and intends shortly to open in that town an electrical exhibition, for the purpose of demonstrating the many useful purposes to which electrical power can be put. It is intended to cover in the large courtyard of the electric lighting depôt, and to fit up the space with rooms, in order to illustrate different methods of domestic lighting. These apartments will be fitted up in sumptuous style, and will be lighted throughout by incandescent lamps, with all descriptions of fittings, so that those who are contemplating the introduction of the electric light into their houses may see how cheaply or how expensively they can do it. Various examples of electric motors will be shown, and it is intended to run an electrical omnibus to and from the railway station for a short period, and to exhibit an electrical launch on the river.

Electrical Sub-Stations.-Though most electrical engineers have come to the conclusion that house transformers are a mistake, there is a difference of opinion as to what a sub-station should be. From an assumption that ordinary small transformers give efficiencies approximating to 98 per cent., there has been an oscillation over to the opinion that even large transformers are so bad that they must be banked. We describe in another column a most ingenious apparatus for cutting transformers in and out. Such an apparatus may be necessary with existing transformers, but if half the brain-work involved in designing it were devoted to the study of transformers, banking, with its attendant evils, would be unnecessary. In designing central stations very serious mistakes may be made by adopting sub-stations of this sort. There can be no doubt that in a very short time even closed circuit transformers will be made so efficient that cutting them out of circuit during the day will not be worth while, and engineers will find they have marred their designs to meet an obsolete requirement. They will then find that they have rents to pay, complicated mechanism to look after, and that the independent feeder system is inapplicable unless they have an attendant at the sub-station. There can be no advantage in banking transformers, and a transformer at the end of a high-pressure feeder, placed in oil in the ground, is capable of controlling the lighting arrangements of a whole town, whatever its size, by means of feeders and networks.→ Industries.

Extinguishing Fires by Electricity.-A correspondent writes:-"An improved plan of extinguishing fires by enploying a water system governed by electricity has been announced. The inventor is H. Lufkin, and if it is developed and perfected, as there is reason to believe that it will be, this plan will doubtless soon become popular, especially amongst those classes of trade which involve large shops, warehouses, mills, &c. The systems of automatic sprinkling which are in vogue are open to some objections which are obvious to those who have ever had the necessity of testing them in those circumstances for which they are specially designed. Lufkin proposes to introduce an important modifcation which is calculated to remove the more serious of these objections. His modification comprises the use of a motor and pump and a complete system of "sprinkler" pipes, These pipes, are suitably arranged in every part of the building which it is desired to protect. There is in connection with this system a large number of "push buttons," arranged so as to be as handy as possible, and these start the motor and pump and open any valves which may be required for extinguishing the fire. It is believed that the instantaneous control of large masses of water thus gained by adopting the system, together with the power to localise the flow of the water will materially increase the ease and certainty with which fires may be extinguished. So much has been said in certain quarters lately with regard to fires having been started by faulty electric light wires that an invention like the above, in which electricity may be employed for rapidly extinguishing fire, is certain to be warmly received by all those who are interested in dispelling prejudice and correcting erroneous opinion concerning the safety of the electric light.