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jib of the crane (placed vertically outside the lantern) is first lowered, dctonators are sceurely fixed to the charges and connected with the Dbattery, and then placed at cither end of the semi-circular bar at the top of the jib. The latter is then raised and the cur- rent set in motion, when an explo- sion cnsues which can sometimes ' be heard cighteen miles away. The open door in my skctch should - - really be closed, but my object m - o representing it is to show the working of the battery at the moment of conneeting the current,

The liability of such an isolated object as the tower being struck by lightning is ingeniously provided against by connecting all the metal- work with copper conductors, and ultimately fixing a rod down the tower to the rock below water. Should the lightning strike any portion of the metallic system 1t will probably go through the wholk, and discharee itself harmlessly mto the sca. As [urther precautions against fire, the floors are of stone covered with slate @ all doors and window frames and sashes, and all external doors and shutters are of iron or gun-metal, so that the huild- ing s completely fireproof.

Now let me describe the duties ot the ]ight—kcq’)(_‘l‘s and their mode of life in this solitary abode, so far

rcmoved from busy humanity. To this light-

house, as to all other rock sta- tions onthecoast, four keepers are attached, the principal (G, W,

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MAGAZLINE.

generous act, and the kind consideration would be keenly appreciated, for it seems that such a monotonous round of duties, cariied on day by day so far away from their fellow men, invariably inducces, after the fivst month, acute depression of spirits, the attack lasting from twelve to twenty hours, and, work being tempor- arily 1mpossible, the sufferer re- mains i hisberth until the sickness moderates, s mates kindly ful- filling his dutics meanwhilce. [bvery month (weather permit- ting) a rchieving vessel goes out to the hghthouse, taking with her the man who has | had his month | ashore, and re- tarning with the keeper who o has complcted his three months; but 1t frequently happens that the | weather upsets therrealeulations, when communi- cation by signals alone can be cffected. In fine weathercachman is on duty four hours and cight

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Cooper)and three assistants (L. Cutting, (. Nor- ton, and W, Davies): but three only are on duty at one time. Fach keeper has three months on the rock, followed by a month ashore, a much fonger period incach case than was customary when the lichthouse was first openced.

If the authoritics could be persuaded Lo reduce such a long spell of duty by one-third, thus making it two months —a consummation devoutly desired by the men- it would be a

Frhiciroo oG

hours off, but

_ when the atmo- . R\t sphere is - thick N there 1s double

duty to puerform, (wo men bang on watch at the same time,

In the day-time there 1s work of another kind to be done. Besides keeping in order the lighting appa- ratus and polishing metal-work throughout the building, the men take 1t m turns to carry out domestic arrangements, such as scrubbing floors and tables, for the whole place is kept absolutely free from dirt. The cooking and preparation of meals must, cf

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