The Lamp Chronometer

Figure 4 represents a chamber lamp, A, consisting of a cylindrical

vessel made of tin, in the shape of a candle, and is to be filled with

oil. This vessel should be about three inches high and one inch

diameter, placed in a stand, B. The whole apparatus, of lamp and

stand, can be purchased, ready-made, at any tin-shop in London. To the

stand, B, is fixed the handle C, which supports the frame D, about 12

inches high, a d four inches wide. This frame is to be covered with

oiled paper, and divided into 12 equal parts by horizontal lines, at

the end of which are written the numbers for the hours, from 1 to 12,

and between the horizontal lines, and diagonals, divided into halves,

quarters, &c. On the handle C, and close to the glass, is fixed the

style or hand E.






Now, as the distance of the style from the flame of the lamp is only

half an inch, then, if the distance of the frame from the style be six

inches, while the float that contains the light descends by the

decrease on the oil, one inch, the shadow of the style of the frame

will ascend 12 inches, being its whole length, and show by its

progression, the regular increase of the hours, with their several

divisions.



You must be careful always to burn the same oil, which must be the

best; and the wick must never vary in size; if these precautions are

not attended to, the dial never can be accurate.