cient light we often go to the extreme of
providing a glare that is trying to the eyes and would test the beauty
of the loveliest complexion that ever charmed in the revealing light of
day. We go further, mayhap, and concentrate the glare upon the center
of the room, with a shade of bright green which gives an unearthly but
not a heavenly cast to all the unfortunate humans who come under its
belying influence.

Objection is sometimes made to electric light that it is too powerful,
and that it is difficult to modify and control. This impression is due
to the tendency of which we have spoken--the working out of the thought
that proper lighting is a question of quantity. For some persons the
ideal arrangement would seem to be a searchlight at each corner of the
room, with a few arc lights suspended from a mirrored ceiling.

Electric light, to furnish the most agreeable effects, must be softened
and properly diffused. If the light units that so perfectly illumine a
room during the day were concentrated they would make a blinding glare,
but diffused they are properly tempered to the eye. The common thought
seems to be to put all the lights of the living room in the center, and
to make them so powerful that they will penetrate every corner of the
room and make it "light as day." In consequence the center is
overlighted, and instead of a similitude of daylight we have unreality.

PLEASING ARRANGEMENT

For the dining-room and library table some form of drop light is
essential. There are arrangements that will transform the banquet or
student lamp into an electric drop light, or the special outfits for
this use may be had in some very artistic designs. For general
lighting, wall sconces, lanterns, or brackets are preferable. Some of
these are very beautiful, though there is a tendency to
overelaboration. Design, of course, should be in keeping with the
general decoration and outfitting of the room. Instead of four
sixteen-candle-power lights in a center chandelier, eight of
eight-candle power will "spread" the illumination better and add little
to the expense, except for fixtures. In beamed ceilings which are not
too high, the effect of lights placed upon the beams is pleasing,
though the effect upon the monthly bill may not have the same aspect.
Electric lamps at the sides should be at a fair height and throw their
light downward, instead of wasting it upon the ceiling.

The pretty lanterns of antique desig