tions drew large and eager audiences. A sloping or inclined mirror is consequently, as an invention, one in the inverse ratio of improvements; it is improving backwards (if there can be said to be such a process), and not one of progress or a move forwards. It may be said, to simplify the idea of the more elaborate, original invention, being something like the gamut as compared to an oratorio; it is a sketch as compared to a finished painting; it is the child's effort at drawing, where all is out of perspective, as compared to the polished productions of the well educated adult, in whose productions nature and art are in happy combination. The patent is the outside and ornamental lettered binding of an original work; it is the original invention curtailed of its fair proportions. The patent adds nothing to the original invention, besides the power of rendering the spectres "cabined, cribbed, confined," with the necessity of placing them on a railway to effect locomotion.

The rapid and extensive introduction of my invention is well exemplified by the following occurrence :-A gentleman connected with a large institution, calling at the Thames Plate Glass Company, was met at once, before naming the object of his visit, with the observation: "Its no use your coming to us, we cannot supply you." "What do you mean?" enquired the unconscious customer, adding, "I only want some large plate glass." To which business-like reply he received the ready rejoinder:-"Well, Sir, I knew it the moment you entered.

It's 'The Ghost,' and we are quite out of large plates ; it is true you see three, which we are now packing, but they are ordered for Belgium; we have, however, written to several of our agents, and may shortly be able to supply orders."

An invention of so large a scale being expensive to adopt, could have no success unless it captivated the public mind. And in this respect, considering its imperfections to the present time of its exhibition, "The Ghost" has never failed to draw crowded, admiring audiences. It was the absolute realization of all that ever had been dreamt, or ever had occupied frenzied fancies, or formed the staple conceits of dramatists and romancers.

Having thus thrown together a few general remarks in relation to my invention, the character of the present work, and the difficulties I have had to encounter from the neglects and short-comings of those into whose hands I had entrusted my invention;—who in reality (without meaning anything in the slightest way invidious by such a remark) were to all intents and purposes but my agents, viewed simply in a business point of view, whose services to assist me in giving publicity to my invention I paid for at the rate of cent per cent of the profits! I shall close these prefatory statements by observing, that, contrary to all expectation, I have been compelled to advocate my case in this matter as affecting right to invention, a right but little, if at all understood, even by very intelligent manufacturers and practical men generally.

In reference to the success of "The Ghost".

notices may not be out of place here :—

-a few

At the Polytechnic Institution, where first exhibited on a large scale in December, 1862, there was a steady increase of attendance week after week. At first they occurred on the mornings and evenings of three days a week, afterwards increasing to daily exhibitions.

At the Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, was the first dramatic exhibition in a play written for the purpose, called "The Widow and Orphans;" and continued for other pieces. The Spectre Drama there exhibited, commencing in April, continues to be performed. On its first appearance an amusing article appeared in All the Year Round, June 27, 1863, entitled-" Haunted Hoxton." Also in the monthly number of Temple Bar, for July.

The Adelphi Theatre followed in June with "The Haunted Man and the Ghosts' Bargain." The newspapers reported of the drama, “It was never really a success, and without its new attraction it certainly would not now (June) hold the stage for a single week." And so it proved, for it was long continued, although in 1848, it had met with but an indifferent reception.

At the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, it was adopted in a new piece, in July.

In New York, August 6, we are informed by the newspapers," The Ghost' was produced at Wallack's Theatre; it had a great success, and has taken the shine out of the American Twenty-seventh street Ghost."

In August and September it was exhibited at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, to crowded audiences, during three weeks.

During the same months also at the Merchants' Hall, Glasgow, for three weeks.

In September, it was adopted at the Crystal Palace, with remarkable success in numerous daily performances. At Drury Lane, in Lord Byron's choral tragedy of "Manfred," in November and December.

Other large and numerous minor places of public entertainment at home and abroad speedily adopted "The Ghost" as a necessary novelty to attract audiences.

The press, ever alive to giving notices of whatever attracts public attention, was loud in welcoming the new scientific sensational entertainments.

All the weekly papers in December, 1862, and January, 1863, reported the optical discovery of phantoms on the stage, which, if anything, appeared but too real; submitting to all the most skilful cuts and stabs made by experienced swordsmen, laughing in scornful derision at the bloodless deed. Illustrations followed in the form of large wood engravings in the Illustrated London News, May 2, Penny Illustrated Paper, February 7, and May 16, and Illustrated Sporting News, July 18. In the Comic News September 26, is a large and most spirited, laughable caricature of the Adelphi Ghost, who orders a coachman to drive to "Kensal Green" (cemetery). And lastly, in prints of Ballads for the Million, appeared ori

ginal songs referring to the "Patent Ghost:" They boast no poetic vein beyond such lines as―

At Music Halls, Theatres too,

This "Patent Ghost" they show,
The Goblin novelty to view,
Some thousands nightly go;
For such a sight they gladly pay,

In order just to boast,

To all their "country cousins "-they-
Have seen a perfect Ghost.

Of illustrious visitors to these exhibitions, principally attracted by the astonishing and daily increasing reports of the strange results produced by my Optical Illusions practically illustrated, I have especially to notice an exhibition at the Polytechnic before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, &c. &c., in August; and since before Her Majesty and the Royal Household, at Windsor.

In conclusion, the Author would respectfully beg to direct attenion to the Appendix marked A, B, C, D, containing matter concerning Correspondence, the Patent, the Referee, and the Polytechnic—all of slight interest to ordinary readers; but that on the Patent useful to inventors who may happen to find in this Preface any shade of a case like their own; and all the rest of the Appendix of special importance to be perused by those whose desire it is to acquire full evidence of the very awkward, unpleasant, and difficult, as well as delicate, situation into which the Author has been plunged by no blameworthy acts of his own.