Concerning Light-houses

The loss of two steamships within a' Bhort time, (the Colurnbus and the Daniel Steinmann), by neglecting the fricndly warning afforded bythelighthouse, calis our attention to the importance of these structures. ïhis was fully recognizod in ancient timos, and the pliaros of Alcxaudria rlated tbree centttries before the Cbristiau era. It was built of stone, five hundred and fifty, fret high, and tho light could be secn for forty milos. It stuod for a thousanrl yeslrs, being eventaally dostroyed by an earthquake. The earliest of modern, ight-houses is the lowcr of Coi-dovan, one hundred and fifty feet high, which vas on the eoast of France for noarly ,hree centimes. Tho Eddystone lightïouse is well-known in tho records of navigation, and being the only one of he four that has withstood the wrath of lie elemente, it lias givcn ita builder ame. The colonista soon learned the necessily of these structures, and a number were in existence before the revolution. Ihèy were of small height, and the llumination was of a defective characcr. Forty years ago our Government sent a corumission to examine the lightïouse system in Europe, and this gavo a inarked impulse to the system. At present thero are nearly seven hundred ight-houses on the American coasts and rivera, and also twcnty-five iloatïng-light stations, the total annual expense being $1,889,017. In addition to ihe above there are nearly six thousand buovs and beacons, which mark danger of less threatening charaeter. The United States is the only Government which imposes no burden on commerco; for this costly protection. Foreign vessels reap the benelit, but when our nhips enter a Freneh or British port containing a light-house they are taxed for it3 support. The advanlages enjoyed by foreign ships is shown by the faet that fifty Clydebuilt steamcrs are in the transatlantic trade, and all enjoy ii... 1...1U.H1 of uur light-houses, toward which thev contribute nothing, wmi6 at the same time their rivalry has cru shed our own shipping. The Americanlighthouse system is controlled by the Treasury Department, and the coasts are divided into twelve districts, each of which has an inspector. The Jatter is furnished with vessels which they use in their quarterly inspections, and each is required to report tlie condition of his district to the "L,ight-house Board." The Jatter is formed of navy officers, who hold their meetings quarterly in Washington. Whatever raay be the difference in light-house management among various nations, there is now but one method of illumination, and this has given distinction to its author. Fresnel, to whom reference is made, was born in France nearly a century ago, and was bred a civil engineer, but early displayed a tastc)for general science. In his twentysixth' year he wroto a very ablo article on astronomy, and his next subject was tho polarization of light, which was followcd by aaother and stillmore import ant proihiction. His incessant progress in sciouce gave him distinction throughout Kurope, but his greatest discovery was in refereuce to the illumiuation. In his thirty-lirst year he was appointed to the light-honso sorvioo, in which lie poon wrought a complete revolution. l'reviousiy the illumination liad been produced by rellectors, which was an expensive as well as an inconvenient method. Fresnel perfected tho lens method which had been attempted in vain by othe" scientists, and his success led to its general adoption. He was the most brilliant French inventor of his day, but in the midst of his career he was removed by death, having hardly reached his fortieth year. The Fresnel method has been adapted to headlights for steamers and pierheads as well as for ferries, and is now in general use. It is possible, however, that the electrio light may be substituted for light-house purposes. Lifo in a light-house is, of course, very monotonous, and yet the keepers bccome so much attached to it that few ever resign. There is no soeiety for the families, no church, no fchool, no entertainments, but on the Dther hand there is the companionship with nature and the fascination of the ocean, whieh never loses its power. -