The electric light has made such
numerous and rapid strides that it is impossible even to notice its
various applications; but on the one hand the lighting by Dr. Siemens
of four miles of dock frontage at the Albert Dock of the London and St.
Katherine Dock Company, together with the railway behind the warehouses,
and the warehouses and ships themselves, and, on the other hand, the
elegant and steady domestic light of Mr. Swan, are excellent examples
of the two extremes in this department. I believe we shall have the
pleasure of closely observing the Swan light during our visit here. The
lighthouse electric light is also a noble application of the great power
of a single electric light on the arc principle. The most powerful
electric light in the world is situated near here on the coast, between
the Tyne and the Wear. It is possible, and even probable, that one of
the great uses to which electric force will be applied eventually, will
be simple conveyance of power by means of large wires; and as a higher
percentage of power is gradually being realized, this method will become
more economical. I may mention that 60 per cent. has already been
obtained.
The invention of Messrs. Thomas & Gilchrist, by which a very large field
of ironstone is now, for the first time, made available for the purpose
of making good steel by the Bessemer process, bids fair to make very
considerable alterations in the steel-making trade, and in the hands
of Mr.
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