13 OCTOBER 1888, Page 43

Electricity v. Gas. By John Stent. (Swan Sonnenschein and Co.)

—A sketch of the advance of the electric-light, and the subsequent and still-continuing struggle between it and gas and oil. The dangers and defects of the two latter are plain enough, and their ultimate withdrawal is only a question of time. The incandescent lamp is coming rapidly into use; its convenience is palpable to the prejudiced, and its superiority to the ignorant. It is to be hoped that lamps intermediate between the small and large ones, will soon be manufactured. Mr. Stent has not much to say about candle-light, which, after all, is the most convenient illuminant next to electricity. Mr. Rent writes in a very matter-of-fact, forcible style, and indicates most sensibly the ultimate triumph of electricity. He wisely refrains from alluding to the constant litigation which serves to mystify an already disturbed public.