After the lens has once been procured, which may be purchased from any
optician, the price ranging from fifty cents upward, according to the
size and quality of the glass, a magic lantern may be constructed out of
a few simple materials by an ingenious boy.
Procure from a tinman several sheets of tin and a small piece of tin
pipe, into which the lens will fit nicely. Then go to work with a
soldering-iron and construct a square box, the dimensions of which may
be a foot or a foot and a half each way. There must be a round opening
on one side into which the pipe holding the lens is fitted, a door at
the back to admit a lamp, and a hole in the top for a chimney. A
reflector fits in the opposite side to the door, and can be drawn
forward at pleasure; and a space is left to allow the introduction of
the slides.
The room, when prepared for exhibiting, must be entirely darkened, and
the slides, are then slipped in, upside down. The lens brilliantly
reflects and magnifies the figures, previously painted on the glass,
on to a white sheet suspended from the ceiling. Thus any
subjects--landscapes, figures, or animals--become enlarged, according to
the distance the lantern is removed from the sheet, and the size and
quality of the lens.
Now for the slides. These require some artistic talent, but not a vast
amount. If a youth has a vein of comic talent, it will add to the fun,
or he may easily procure prints from which to copy. Some, however,
prefer scenery, natural objects, etc., all of which, if well painted,
show well in the magic lantern.
First procure the glass, cut to the size required, so that it will slip
easily into the opening in the lantern; then trace the outline, after
having the colors ready, which can be purchased of any artists'
colorman.
Observe that the dry colors must be ground very fine, and mixed with
spirits of turpentine, and worked in with mastic varnish. Especial care
must be taken that enough varnish be used to moisten the color
sufficiently, and prevent its being limpy while working on the glass;
also great judgment is necessary in laying on the colors, as they ought
to be as transparent as possible.
In the event of the picture being humorous and a part of it movable, the
latter must be managed by a long slip of glass affixed to the slide,
previously framed round--for instance, a barber shaving a man. The whole
of the painting should be executed on the slide, except the barber's
arm, which must be traced and colored on the narrow slip, and then
arranged so as to complete the figure. This is easily done, by the slip
fastening into the frame. Then by a quick movement of the narrow piece
of glass, backward and forward, while exhibiting, an appearance of
reality is given, and the operation of shaving is successfully
performed.