It is only within a modern period that the state or city has assumed responsibility in the matter of public lighting, which for the most part had been left to the good will and public spirit of citizens. But in England a proclamation was issued to the effect that every individual should place a candle in each of the lower windows of his house, and keep it burning from nightfall until midnight. [Illustration: THE FIRST OIL LANTERN The first “Réverbère”--oil lantern--with a metal reflector, used to light the streets of Paris. It was invented by Bourgeois de Châteaublanc in 1765, and used until the introduction of gas.] Paris was the first city to improve upon this method of street lighting, and in 1658 huge, vase-like contrivances, filled with resin and pitch, were set up in the principal thoroughfares. The improvement proving, as may readily be seen, both dangerous and expensive, the falct, so-called, were replaced by the lantern. This was at first simply a rude frame, covered with horn or leather, within which a candle burned. For more than one hundred years this was the extent of the illumination which the authorities could provide. But of course it was understood that no honest man would venture abroad without his torch or flambeau, and as London, Berlin, Vienna, and all leading cities of Europe, were in like case, the darkness of Paris could be borne. [Illustration: Argand got his first suggestion for his burner--invented in 1780--from this style of alcohol lamp, then in general use throughout France.] But progress had been made, and early in the eighteenth century the Corporation of London entered into contract with a certain individual to set up public lights, giving him permission to exact a sum of six shillings from every householder whose actual rent exceeded ten pounds. In the middle of the same century the Lord Mayor and Common Council applied to Parliament for power to light the streets of London better. From the granting of this permission dates improvement in public lighting. Where Did the Word “Gas” Originate? A Belgium chemist, Van Helmont, coined the word “gas” in the first half of the seventeenth century. The Dutch word “geest,” signifying “ghost,” suggested the term to him, and his superstitious neighbors hounded him into obscurity for talking of ghosts. [Illustration: Hanging lamp from Nushagak in Southern Alaska. It is suspended from the framework of the tent by cords. Oils and fats from northern animals give a clear and steady light, and Eskimo lamps are frequently praised by travelers.] [Illustration: WHAT THE BIG TANK NEAR THE GASWORKS IS FOR SIX MILLION CUBIC FOOT GAS HOLDER. Almost every boy and girl has seen the big tank near the gas works, and most of them have wondered what was in it and what it is for. This big tank is a “holder” in which the gas is stored after it is manufactured.