LIGHT-HOUSE, a building erected upon a cape or promontory on the sea coast, or upon some rock in the sea, and having on its top in the night-time a great fire, or light formed by candles, which is constantly attended by some careful person, so as to be seen at a great distance from the land. It is used to direct the shipping on the coast, that might otherwise run ashore, or steer an improper course, when the darkness of the night and the uncertainty of currents, &c. might render their situation with regard to the shore extremely doubtful. Lamp-lights are, on many accounts, preferable to coal fires or candles; and the effect of these may be increased by placing them either behind glass hemispheres, or before properly disposed glass or me-
tal reflectors, which last method is now very generally adopted. See BEACONS.