Chapter V

THE HUNDRED CANDLES LIGHTED BY A PISTOL SHOT.

We say “the hundred candles,” in order to preserve to the trick the title under which it has been generally exhibited, but, as will presently be seen, even a larger number may be lighted, if desired.

This trick, which is, in truth, only the application on a large scale of an old scientific experiment known as the _briquet électrique_,[24] was first exhibited by the conjuror Döbler, in the course of the performances which he gave in 1840, at the St. James’s Theatre, in London.

In order to enable the reader the better to comprehend the arrangements for the trick of the “hundred candles,” we will first recapitulate those of the _briquet électrique_. The accompanying diagram (Fig. 5) will assist our description.

A is the extremity of a tube or burner in communication with a reservoir of hydrogen gas; B and C are two thin metal wires, whose points are very near together. One of these wires (B) is insulated by means of a glass support; the other (C) is fixed on a brass rod in communication with the ground.

When the gas escapes from the burner A, it impinges directly upon the wick of the candle D, passing between the points B and C. If at the same instant an electric current is communicated to the point B, the spark will in its journey to the opposite point pass through the gas and ignite it. The jet of flame thus created will in turn light the wick of the candle.

Given a few modifications in point of form, and increasing the number of the gas-jets, points, and candles, we have the experiment of M. Döbler.

In the illustration which next follows (Fig. 6), the reader will see the new arrangement complete. All the supports (S S S S) of the conducting wires, however numerous, with the exception of the last, are insulators. All the burners (G G G) are attached to a single pipe, which keeps them supplied with gas. The letters B B B indicate the position of the candles.

As in the experiment already described, the gas is turned on at the common main, and escapes at each burner. At the same moment an electric current is brought in circuit with one of the insulated conducting rods, and instantly leaping over all the intervals, sets light, as we have said, to the gas-jets, and by their aid to the candles.

To ensure greater certainty in lighting, the wick of the candle is charred a little beforehand, and then moistened, by the aid of a camel-hair brush, with spirits of turpentine.

The greater the number of interruptions in the circuit, the stronger need be the current of electricity to enable it to conquer all the successive resistances to its flight.

Formerly the spark was produced by means of a large frictional machine, but however powerful such machine might be, it happened now and then, when the weather was damp, that the quantity of the electric fluid produced was inadequate, and that the experiment was a failure. At the present day, with the aid of the Rhumkorff induction coil, the performer need have nothing to fear in this particular, so long as he takes care that the size of his coil is in due proportion to the number of candles he desires to set light to.

FOOTNOTES:

[24] Literally, “electric tinder-box.” We are not aware that the experiment in question has any special cognomen among English electricians.--ED.