Still, as the consumer is to great extent in the dealer’s hands, perhaps the best advice to give amounts to this: ‘Never be tempted by imagined cheapness, and — when you can — patronize a first- class tradesman.’ Of more consequence still than good oil is a good lamp. As a first golden rule, the reservoir should be made from metal, not of glass or porcelain, since should a spill occur, the main danger of a conflagration is removed, and in the case of wall brackets and pendants the lamp should be made to fit into its stand so as to be readily portable. The burner should be ‘ Argand ’ or circular, and no detriment is experienced if the wick be raised in two sections ; perhaps the reverse as a duplex action facilitates trimming, while the flame can be regulated to a nicety. In Martin’s Patent Lighthouse Lamp — which may be taken as a thoroughly solid article embodying all recent improvements — the air is supplied to the centre by a tube running through the reservoir from its base. To this tube the wick fits tightly, enclosed by a second and removable tube joined to the head of the burner covering it closely from the reservoir to the edge of the flame. An ingenious device in the shape of a perforated cylinder, placed between these two tubes, facilitates the insertion and elevation or depression of the wick by a single winder, further precluding the lighted part from being turned down into the reservoir, thus guarding against explosions from a not uncommon origin. Inside the reservoir, and soldered to it at the top and bottom, is another tube covering the wick, keeping it from the main body of the oil, sufficient only to feed the wick being admitted through small holes at the bottom of the reservoir. In the event then of the lamp being overturned the oil is effectually prevented from escaping. The reservoir is filled from the outside through an aperture provided with a screwed cap, an indicator being attached which admits of the gas escaping when in any quantity, whilst preventing contact from the outside. Moreover the oil is kept MO ENGLISH AND FRENCH COOKERY. very cool and cannot percolate through the metal — an unpleasant and dangerous defect in many lamps. These lamps are fitted with an ingenious contrivance which, when placed upon the top of the burner and turned gently round, removes the carbonized portion of wick, cutting it perfectly even and leaving no dirt behind. Such a lamp is both economical and being manufactured of metal throughout absolutely safe, while the light — a pure oil being burnt — is simply intense. But to many a patent lamp, however perfect and reasonable in price, is an impossibility. Thousands of persons have perforce to content themselves with the less expensive but in the end dearer kinds sold at grocers and oil shops. These are dangerous, and require considerable care in management if a decent light is to be obtained. The following rules may be laid down, which apply to most lamps in use. 1. The wick should be thoroughly dried before being placed in the oil, and requires renewal at least once a month, since acting as a filter it absorbs the impurities in the petroleum and becomes clogged ; it should fit the tube exactly, neither too tightly, nor too loosely, nor leaving any space at the sides for air to reach the oil- chamber ; it should be cut evenly at the top, only the charred portion being removed.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Still, as the consumer is to great extent in the dealer’s hands, perhaps the best advice to give amounts to this: ‘Never be tempted by imagined cheapness, and — when you can — patronize a firstclass tradesman.’ Of more consequence still than good oil is a good lamp. As a first golden rule, the reservoir should be made from metal, not of glass or porcelain, since should a spill occur, the main danger of a conflagration is removed, and in the case of wall brackets and pendants the lamp should be made to fit into its stand so as to be readily portable. The burner should be ‘ Argand ’ or circular, and no detriment is experienced if the wick be raised in two sections ; perhaps the reverse as a duplex action facilitates trimming, while the flame can be regulated to a nicety. In Martin’s Patent Lighthouse Lamp — which may be taken as a thoroughly solid article embodying all recent improvements — the air is supplied to the centre by a tube running through the reservoir from its base. To this tube the wick fits tightly, enclosed by a second and removable tube joined to the head of the burner covering it closely from the reservoir to the edge of the flame. An ingenious device in the shape of a perforated cylinder, placed between these two tubes, facilitates the insertion and elevation or depression of the wick by a single winder, further precluding the lighted part from being turned down into the reservoir, thus guarding against explosions from a not uncommon origin. Inside the reservoir, and soldered to it at the top and bottom, is another tube covering the wick, keeping it from the main body of the oil, sufficient only to feed the wick being admitted through small holes at the bottom of the reservoir. In the event then of the lamp being overturned the oil is effectually prevented from escaping. The reservoir is filled from the outside through an aperture provided with a screwed cap, an indicator being attached which admits of the gas escaping when in any quantity, whilst preventing contact from the outside. Moreover the oil is kept MO very cool and cannot percolate through the metal — an unpleasant and dangerous defect in many lamps. These lamps are fitted with an ingenious contrivance which, when placed upon the top of the burner and turned gently round, removes the carbonized portion of wick, cutting it perfectly even and leaving no dirt behind. Such a lamp is both economical and being manufactured of metal throughout absolutely safe, while the light — a pure oil being burnt — is simply intense. But to many a patent lamp, however perfect and reasonable in price, is an impossibility. Thousands of persons have perforce to content themselves with the less expensive but in the end dearer kinds sold at grocers and oil shops. These are dangerous, and require considerable care in management if a decent light is to be obtained. The following rules may be laid down, which apply to most lamps in use. 1. The wick should be thoroughly dried before being placed in the oil, and requires renewal at least once a month, since acting as a filter it absorbs the impurities in the petroleum and becomes clogged ; it should fit the tube exactly, neither too tightly, nor too loosely, nor leaving any space at the sides for air to reach the oil- chamber ; it should be cut evenly at the top, only the charred portion being removed.

English and French cookery