We can but remember, however, that until the present age many of the old forms of illuminating apparatus have been retained.  In the ruder communities such things may still be seen.  Civilization in its progress from east to west across our continent followed a tallow candle.  The light of it was seen by night through the window of the pioneer’s cabin.  The old forms of hanging lamps have hardly yet disappeared from the advance posts of the marching column.  But meanwhile, other agencies have been discovered, and other forms of apparatus invented, until the branch of knowledge relating to illumination has become both a science and an art.

Within the memories of men still living, a great transformation has occurred.  Animal oils have virtually ceased to be employed as the sources of light.  The vegetable world is hardly any longer drawn upon for its products.  Already before the discovery of petroleum and its multifarious uses the invention by chemical methods of illuminating materials had begun.  Many kinds of burning fluid had been introduced.  The reign of these was short-lived; coal oil came in at the door and they flew out at the window.  Great was the advantage which seemed to come to mankind from the use of kerosene lamps.  Those very forms of illumination which are now regarded as crude in character and odious in use were only a generation ago hailed with delight because of their superiority to the former agents of illumination.  Thus much may suffice for all that precedes the coming of the New Light of men.  The new light flashes from the electrical glow.  The application of electricity to purposes of illumination marks an era in human progress.  The electrical light is, we think, high up among the most valuable and striking stages of civilized life in the nineteenth century.  It is best calculated to affect favorably the welfare of the people, especially in great cities.  The illumination of a city by night, making its streets to be lighted as if by day, is a more interesting and important fact in human history than any political conflict or mere change of rulers.

About the beginning of the eighth decade of this century the project of introducing the electric light for general purposes of illumination began to be agitated.  It was at once perceived that the advantages of such lighting were as many as they were obvious.  The light is so powerful as to render practicable the performance of many mechanical operations as easily by night as by day.  Again, the danger of fire from illuminating sources is almost wholly obviated by the new system.  The ease and expedition of all kinds of night employment are greatly enhanced.  A given amount of illumination can be produced much more cheaply by electricity than by any means of gas lighting or ordinary combustion.  Among the first to demonstrate the feasibility of electric lighting was the philosopher Gramme, of Paris.  In the early part of 1875 he successfully lighted his laboratory