LESSON X.

AMONG THE LIGHTHOUSES.

Part I.

AT seven o'clock the next morning, Captain Graham called out, "All aboard."

In a few moments the "Verbena" was steaming down Portland Harbor for a cruise among the lighthouses and numerous islands off the coast of Maine.

The Cartmells, standing at the stern, surveyed the lovely scene, for Portland Harbor is well known for its natural beauty. The houses rise one above another on the hills from among the green trees; the spires of the many churches point heavenward; and on the port side Fort Gorges rises from its foundations of natural rock.

They soon passed the handsome Portland Head Light,

a little off to the right.

The "Verbena" was then headed due east, and in half an hour they were approaching Half-way Rock, on which stood a tall lighthouse, plainly seen from the steam yacht. "I wish we could go ashore, Papa, and visit a lighthouse."

"We shall do so, I think, several times."

Mr. Cartmell spoke to the captain, and he steered more to the port, heading chiefly for the little island. The boat was lowered, and Mr. Cartmell and the children were rowed by the oarsmen to the lighthouse. The lighthouse

keeper received them very politely, and said that he would gladly show them the interior of the tower.1

The first room they entered was the store-room, at the base of the tower. Here they saw casks of oil, barrels of provisions, and plenty of coal. Here is kept the supply the way up the narrow

of fresh water. The keeper led circular iron stairway to the next room, which proved to be the kitchen of the establishment, with its cooking-stove,

shining pots and kettles, and neat pantry. Another flight of stairs brought them to the bedroom of the keeper who was their guide, and above this was a second room with two beds for the assistant keepers.

A fourth flight of stairs led them into the watch-room, where the keeper on duty stays to look after the light

The clock which operates the light is placed in this room. After one more staircase, the fifth, had been mounted, they entered the "lantern," a room on top of the tower.

As soon as they all had satisfied themselves with the views, and looked down upon the "Verbena," as she waited for them not far away, the keeper took off the linen cover from the lenses. The children looked with astonishment upon the great glistening barrel of glass exposed to view. The keeper opened a door in this barrel of lenses, and

showed the powerful lamp within with its numerous wicks. Then the keeper touched something, and a large bronze framework outside of the glass barrel, containing red panes

Mr. Cartmell thanked the keeper for his kindness, and they all returned at once to the yacht.

"Now, Papa, you must explain to us about the arrangement of the lantern which we have seen in the lighthouse," said Florence, "for I don't understand it at all."

Focus of...

Dioptric Apparatus
Burner, Wicks

"I will try to, if you and the others will gather round. "Years and years ago a little boy was born in a small town in France, who was destined to become one of the best friends sailors ever had. When he was eight years old he did not know his letters, because he disliked bookknowledge. But on the other hand, he was very fond of making experiments, especially in natural philosophy. This kind of study induced his parents to send him to a celebrated school in Paris, where he applied himself so earnestly that he rose step by step till he became an engineer; and soon afterward, in 1819, he won a valuable prize in writing an essay on light."

Micraneter

Valve

Pumps

Trimming

Strainer

Overflow Pipes

Floor

26 GALLON PRESSURE LAN

Supply Pipes

&Cocks

line

Stage

26 GALLON PRESSURE L

Weighted
Plunger

Moveable haw

Pumps

of Lantern

LAMP AND OIL SUPPLY.

"Well, Papa, I don't see what this has to do with yonder lighthouse.'

"You will soon see,- Miss Impatience! This young

man's name was Fresnel, and he invented a way to make a lamp to be seen at a great distance from a lighthouse. In the first place he improved the lamp, so that there are four or five concentric wicks, one within the other, supplied with abundance of colza or kerosene oil by a pump moved by machinery, or from a reservoir of oil elevated above the wicks, and able to burn for twelve hours or more without being touched. You all saw this lamp inside the 'lantern.'' "Why is there so much glass around the lamp?"