Lighting a CANDLE by a small spark of electricity

Lighting a CANDLE by a small spark of electricity. This method, which is an invention of Dr Ingenhouz, is recorded in the Phil. Trans. vol. 68. It is done by a small vial, having eight or ten inches of metallic coating, or even less, charged with electricity, which may be done at any time of the night by a person who has an electric machine in his room. "When I have occasion to light a candle," says he, "I charge a small-coated phial, whose knob is bent outwards, so as to hang a little over the body of the phial; then I wrap some loose cotton over the extremity of a long brass pin or a wire, so as to stick moderately fast to

its substance. I next roll this extremity of the pin wrapped up with cotton in some fine powder of resin, (which I always keep in readiness upon the table for this purpose, either in a wide-mouthed phial or in a loose paper); this being done, I apply the extremity of the pin or wire to the external coating of the charged phial, and bring, as quickly as possible, the other extremity wrapped round with cotton to the knob: the powder of resin takes fire, and communicates its flame to the cotton, and both together burn long enough to light a candle. As I do not want more than half a minute to light my candle in this way, I find it a readier method than kindling it by flint and steel, or calling a servant.

"I have found, that powder of white or yellow resin lights easier than that of brown.

"The farina lycopodii may be used for the same purpose: but it is not so good as the powder of resin, because it does not take fire quite so readily, requiring a stronger spark not to miss; besides, it is soon burnt away.

"By dipping the cotton in oil of turpentine, the same effect may be as readily obtained, if you take a jar somewhat greater in size. This oil will inflame so much the readier if you strew a few fine particles of brass upon it. The pin duct is the best for this purpose; but as this oil is scattered about by the explosion, and when kindled fills the room with much more smoke than the powder of resin, I prefer the last."