or LANTHORN, a device to carry a candle in; being a kind of cover usually made of white iron, with sashes of some transparent matter, as glass, horn, &c., to transmit the light.
Sir George Staunton informs us that some of the Chinese lanterns were entirely made of horn, so very thin and transparent that they were at first taken for glass, to which they prefer it as being cheaper, less liable to accident, and more easily repaired. Those which Sir George had the opportunity of examining, consisted of one uniform piece of horn, the seams being made invisible by an art found out by the Chinese. The horns commonly used are those of sheep or goats, which being bent by immersing them in boiling water, are cut open and flattened, after which they are easily separated into two or three thin plates. To make these lamium or plates join readily, they are exposed to the penetrating heat of steam till they are perfectly soft, and the edges that are to lap over each other are scraped and slanted off, so that the joinings may be no thicker than any other part of the plate.
Such lanterns would be extremely proper for military store-houses; and Rochou of the National Institute was desired to attempt to make them for the marine store-houses of France. While he was thus engaged, it occurred to him that he might supply the urgent necessities of the navy without horn, by filling up the interstices of wire cloth with fine transparent glue. He first tinned the iron wires of the sieve-cloth he made use of; but afterwards found it more convenient to give it a coating of oil paint to preserve it from rust. The glue he made use of was procured by boiling the clippings of parchment with the air-bladders and membranes of sea-fish, not from any conviction of their superiority to other articles, but as being the cheapest he could procure. To this he added the juice of garlic and cider, in such proportions as he found to communicate great tenacity. Into this transparent pure glue he plunged his wire-cloth, which came out with its interstices filled with the compound. The case with which lanterns made of this substance are repaired in case of accident, by a slight coating of glue, is given by the inventor as a great advantage; and, according to him, they were employed as signal lanterns in the expedition to Ireland.
Dark Lantern, one with only one opening, which, may also be closed up when the light is to be entirely hid, or opened when there is occasion for the assistance of the light to discover some object.
Magic Lantern, an optical machine, whereby little painted images are represented so much magnified, as to be accounted the effect of magic by the ignorant. See Dioptics, Art. X. p. 37.
Architecture, a little dome raised over the roof of a building to give light, and serve as a crowning to the fabric.
The term lantern is also used for a square cage of carpentry, placed over the ridge of a corridor or gallery, between two rows of shops, to illumine them, like that of the Royal Exchange, London.
Lantern, on ship board, a well known machine, of which there are many in a ship, particularly for the purpose of directing the course of other ships in a fleet or convoy; such are the poop and top lanterns, &c.
Feast of Lanterns, in China, is a celebrated feast held on the 15th day of the first month; so called from the infinite number of lanterns hung out of the houses and streets; which, it is said, is no less than two hundred millions. On this day are exposed lanterns of all prices, whereof some are said to cost 2000 crowns. Some of their grandees retrench somewhat every day out of their table, out of their dress, equipage, &c., to appear the more magnificent in lanterns. They are adorned with gilding, sculpture, painting, japanning, &c. And as to their size, it is extravagant; some being from 25 to 30 feet diameter; they represent halls and chambers, and two or three such machines together would make handsome houses; so that in China they are able to eat, lodge, receive visits, have balls, and act plays in a lantern. To illumine them, they should have bonfires; but as that would be inconvenient, they content themselves with lighting up in them an infinite number of torches or lamps, which at a distance have a beautiful effect. In these they exhibit various kinds of shows, to divert the people. Besides these enormous lanterns, there is a multitude of others smaller, which usually consist of six faces or lights, each about four feet high, and one and a half broad, framed in wood finely gilt and adorned; over these they stretch a fine transparent silk, curiously painted with flowers, trees, and sometimes human figures: the painting is very extraordinary, and the colours extremely bright; and when the torches are lighted, they appear highly beautiful and surprising.
Lantern Fig. See Fulgora, Entomology Index.