Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1891 — STREET LIGHTING IN PARIS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STREET LIGHTING IN PARIS.

Great Attention Paid to Artistic LampPosts. Paris has about 1,300 miles of gas mains and pipes, and consumes in the manufacture of gas over 1,000,000 tons of coal yearly. There are over 50,000 gas lamps, consuming different quantities of gas, according to the importance of the locality. With a population of about 2,225,000, the city consumed in 1889 312,258,97(5 cubic meters of gas. The lanterns are mostly circular, that form being preferred as casting the least shadow, and of glass beautifully white and clear. Beflectors are commonly used, as it is estimated that they increase the light 30 per cent. The lamp-posts are of

bronzed iron, and great attention is paid to artistic form and solidity of pose. They taper gracefully upward from a conical base to the lantern, which is itself handsomely ornamented and surmounted, usually, by a castellated design. They are from eight to about ten feet in height, and the gas company is required to keep them, as well as the lanterns, in perfect order, under the penalty of a 1 considerable drawback for every case of negligence. < The lighting of the streets and public places is effective and slightly theatrical. It is in general profuse in localities whose transactions it is desired to emphasize, and in streets that are much frequented. The most lavish use of light is in and about the Palais Boyale. The garden, which is entirely shut in by buildings and surrounded by long arcades wita shops, covers an area equal to about two blocks in an American city. Within the garden there are fifty-five lanterns, mostly lighted by electricity, and in the arches of the arcades, at intervals of ten feet, are suspended 200 more. In parts of the building adjacent are nearly 100 more, making 350 brilliant lights.