Mr. JAMES PILLANS WILSON, _Consulting Adviser_. Mr. JOHN CALDERWOOD, _General Manager_. Mr. W. H. WITHALL, _Secretary_. Mr. KINGSTON GEORGE WOODHAM, _Superintendent_. Mr. S. J. ROBERTS, _Chief Engineer_. Mr. G. CHILDS, _Superintendent Night-Light Department_. Mr. J. DAY, _Superintendent Bromborough Pool Works_, near Birkenhead.[1] [Footnote 1: The writer has had the privilege of consulting a pamphlet entitled "A Brief History of Price's Patent Candle Company (Limited)," printed by Spottiswoode & Co., New Street Square, London, 1876. For private circulation only.] Though hour-glasses were invented at Alexandria B.C. 149, and water-clocks about the same period, yet it does not appear that hour-glasses and clepsydras or water-clocks were known in England during the reign of Alfred the Great. Sun dials might be, but were of no use from eve to morn and when the days were sunless. In order to allot certain portions of time to particular objects, eight hours to sleep, meals and exercise, eight to the affairs of government, and eight to study and devotion, Alfred contrived the expedient of having wax candles made of equal weight and twelve inches in length, with marks upon them at regular distances. The combustion of one candle lasted four hours, and each intermediate part, an inch in distance, denoted a period of twenty minutes. Six of these candles lasted twenty-four hours. The duty of tending these candles was entrusted to one of Alfred's domestic Chaplains who had to give the Monarch notice of their working. As currents of air rushed through the unglazed windows and chinks in the walls of the Royal residence as to render the combustion irregular and the register inaccurate, the ingenious King surrounded the candles with horn and wooden frames to make them burn steadily in all weathers. It was a custom in olden time to conduct a sale or auction by inch of candle. A small piece of candle being lighted the bystanders were allowed to bid for the merchandize that was offered for sale--the moment the candle went out the commodity was adjudged to the last bidder. There was also excommunication by inch of candle, when the sinner was allowed to come to repentance while a candle continued to burn; but after it was consumed he remained excommunicated to all intents and purposes.