Electrical Distribution by Alternating Currents and Transformers. By Rankin Kennedy.
(Alabaster, Gatehouse, and Co.)—Mr. Kennedy gives us a short historical account of the various devices which have been invented for the purpose of overcoming the great difficulty in the problem of electric lighting, the high pressure with which the current must be supplied. Transformers after Faraday's pattern are used, add many patents have been taken out, but no satisfactory solution of the difficulty has been yet arrived at. We have no doubt, however, but that the question of the ideal transformer, and the self- regulation of the primary current, will very soon be solved. But until we can do this, and with it attain the sine qua non of having all the machinery on the premises of the generating station, electric lighting cannot be said to have superseded other systems of illumina- tion. Mr. Kennedy's epitome of the present state of the question is well and forcibly put.
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