[Illustration]
Mr. D. H. W. Broad, of 18, Beatrice Road, Stroud Green, N., the sender
of this photograph, writes that it represents a curious piece of old
ironwork which has recently come into his possession. It slips, he
says, on to a candle, the spike in the middle going into the wax at any
place you like to adjust it. The object is apparently to automatically
extinguish the candle, should the sleeper leave it alight on retiring.
When the wax is burnt away the spike is released, thus bringing down
the extinguisher. The candle in the photo. is standing in an old brass
tinder-box.