forms represented by Fig. 4, Plate XXXVI. The glass chimney is surmounted by a copper continuation of the same diameter, which sets into the damper. The latter is cylindrical, with a spherical part midway of its length, in which the register moves. A series of cylindrical smoke-funnels of increasing diameter, terminated below by truncated cones, completes the chimney. The annular spaces between the various funnels introduce air, and by cooling the smoke render the combustion more complete and the draught more regular. The enlargement of that part of the damper where the register is placed prevents the contraction of the oritice by which the smoke escapes. This arrangement is the best for burners with five, four, and three wicks, but it is not indispensable for burners of two wicks and one wick.

burners.

The principle of the cylindro-conical burners with outer Concentric gasair-tube has permitted us to construct gas-burners with concentric crowns giving very satisfactory combustion. Fig. 3, Plate XXXVI, shows the arrangement of a four-crown burner. It will be remarked that each of the crowns is fed at the two extremities of the same diameter, and that a special cock regulates the flow of gas to each crown. These burners have worked very well, and do not heat to any great degree.

REMARK.-Fig. 3, Plate XXXIII, shows that the chimney of the modified Fresnel burners is supported on a plate by means of three ears. This system, adopted by the French administration, has the disadvantage of great instability; the chimney cannot be exactly centered on the burner; besides, the chimneys not being exactly set below, there are no means of getting them quite perpendicular. We prefer the use of the old chimney-holders with movable grates on the inside, by means of which the chimney can be exactly centered and solidly held.

LIGHT-HOUSES AT THE MOUTH OF THE SEINE

When at the Dépôt des Phares, M. Allard kindly gave me a letter to M. Arnoux, the engineer (des ponts et chaussées,) who is in charge of the administration of all public works (including the light-houses) on the left bank of the Lower Seine, and I proceeded by rail through Normandy to Honfleur, stopping at Rouen to see that ancient city, and especially the interesting antiquities in its celebrated museum. M. Arnoux received me with great politeness, and I had an excellent opportunity of inspecting the lights of l'Hôpital and Fatouville, and the pier-light at Honfleur.

Notes on the French lighthouse service.

Appoint ment

of keepers.

Salaries.

Fuel tions.

and ra

Pensions.

Number of

different orders of lights.

The light-keepers in the French service are known as masters (maîtres de phare) and keepers, (gardiens.)

They are appointed by the prefect or chief civil officer of the department on the nomination of the engineer of the district, who is charged with the river and harbor works. including the light-houses. Men who have served as sol diers and sailors are given the preference.

For appointment the following requisites are necessary: 1st. They must be French, and between twenty-one and forty years of age.

2d. They must be free from all infirmities which would prevent an active daily life.

3d. They must present a certificate of good moral char

acter.

4th. They must know how to read and write, and have an elementary knowledge of arithmetic.

The annual salary of masters of lights is fixed at 1,000 francs, ($200.) The ordinary keepers are divided into six classes, salaried as follows: First class, 850 francs, ($170;) second class, 775 francs, ($155;) third class, 700 francs, ($140 ;) fourth class, 625 francs, ($125;) fifth class, 550 francs, ($110;) sixth class, 475 francs, ($95.) There is also allowed to each master and keeper a certain quantity of wood or coal for heating purposes, and the master and keepers of lights isolated by the sea receive indemnities for sea-rations.

The salaries and indemnities are paid monthly. Fuel is furnished in kind and according to the decision of the engi neers. Salaries of masters and keepers are subject to a deduction of 5 per cent., and these employés are entitled to retiring pensions derived from this fund. An oath must be taken by masters and keepers immediately after their appointment in order that they may be held responsible, if any dereliction is committed in the establishment to which they are attached.

The number and classes of keepers attached to each light keepers at the is fixed by ministerial decision on the recommendation of the engineer, approved by the prefect and the director of the light-house service. The number is never less than three for first-order lights, and two for those of the second and third orders.

Maîtres des phares.

The masters are charged with the supervision of the service of several lights or beacons. The title (maître de phare) can also be granted to those of the principal keepers (chefs gardiens) who have merited it by exceptional service. At the lights served by several keepers and where there is no

master one of the former takes the title of principal, (chef.) In case of his absence the second keeper takes his place.

The masters and principal keepers are particularly responsible for the entire service of the lights and the receipt of supplies. They are charged with the keeping of the regis ters and the correspondence.

The other keepers owe obedience to the master in everything that concerns the service, but have the right of appeal to the engineer.

The principal keepers assist in cleaning the apparatus, and take their watch the same as the others.

The masters are not held to this service, but they are required to visit the light at least twice each night, and, by decision of the engineer, they can be ordered to temporarily perform the duties of principal keeper when circumstances render it necessary.

ers.

Every year, on recommendation of the engineer-in-chief, Bonus paid to deserving keepa bonus not exceeding a month's salary may be allowed by the prefect to the most meritorious keepers, the number receiving such bonus not to exceed one-fifth of the total number of keepers in the department. Masters and keepers may be punished or removed by the prefect, on the report of the engineer-in-chief.

rior beacons.

The service of beacons of secondary importance may be Service of infe confided to persons who are not regularly in the light-house service.

PHARE DE L'HÔPITAL.

This light, so named from its proximity to the ancient hospital at Honfleur, is of the third order, fixed. It is a handsome structure of granite, and on both the exterior and interior no expense has been spared in the way of architectural effect and fine finish.

Description.

in tower.

The entrance is very imposing, and bears above it the inscription, "Stella Maris." The interior of the structure is lined with granite; although there is no air-space in the interior of the walls, they appeared to be perfectly dry. Directly below the watch-room is a bed-room, furnished Sleeping · room with a neat bed with hangings and other furniture, for the occupation of the keeper not on watch, for it is a rule of the French service that there must be always two keepers in the tower during the exhibition of the light. In cases where there are three keepers at a station, one of them can remain with his family at the dwelling, but when there are but two keepers, neither can absent himself from the tower at night.

Watch-room.

Keepers dwelling.

for district offi

cers.

Conducteur, duties of.

The watch-room at this station was neatly furnished with a table and easy chairs, and was nicely paved and lined with a pretty imitation of variegated marble.

The dwelling, which is at some distance from the tower, is also a handsome building, with neatly painted walls and ceilings. Each keeper is allowed a kitchen and two bedrooms, besides certain standing furniture, as in the English service; and a list is framed and hung in each room showing what furniture therein belongs to the government and the principal keeper is responsible for. This furniture, made of hard wood, is strong and durable.

The family is not recognized in the supply of furniture, the kitchen and one bed-room only for each keeper being furnished by the government.

Rooms fitted up In the dwelling are also fitted up rooms for the engineer of the district and one for the conducteur, (assistant engi 'neer,) who is a subordinate of the engineer, and whose espe cial business it is to attend to the lights of the district. taking care that they are properly exhibited and the buildings and lenticular apparatus kept at the highest state of order and efficiency, while the engineer exercises a general supervision.

Number of keepers.

There are at this light three keepers; one of them has the title of maître de phare and the other two are chefs-gardiens, all of higher rank and rate of pay than ordinary keepers. These ranks they had attained by long and faithful service.

It should be noted that in the French light-houses the keepers are not promoted and changed from station to station, as in the English service, but have a chance for promotion only at the stations to which they are first appointed. Mineral oil to At the date of my visit the illuminant at the Phare de l'Hôpital was colza, but mineral-oil and a lamp for its use had been received at the station, and orders to make the change of lamps and illuminants were daily expected.

be used.

The mineral-oil was to be kept in the store-room at the dwelling, in wooden reservoirs lined with zinc, and I found that the French use much less precaution in storing it than do the English, who are building detached vaulted magzines of masonry for this purpose. The English also use sheet-iron cans or butts for reservoirs as a substitute for tin, which is not considered as good for the preservation of the oil.

FEU DE PORT AT HONFLEUR.

This is a small pier light-house of granite, with the foca plane 20 feet above the base, and shows a red light from a