has been the privilege of the writers to be present at some of these
conferences, not only as participants, but in some cases as lookers-on
while awaiting their turn. On such occasions an interesting opportunity
is offered to study Edison in his intense and constructive moods.
Apparently oblivious to everything else, he will listen with
concentrated mind and close attention, and then pour forth a perfect
torrent of ideas and plans, and, if the occasion calls for it, will turn
around to the table, seize a writing-pad and make sketch after sketch
with lightning-like rapidity, tearing off each sheet as filled and
tossing it aside to the floor. It is an ordinary indication that
there has been an interesting meeting when the caretaker about fills a
waste-basket with these discarded sketches.

Directly opposite the main door is a beautiful marble statue purchased
by Edison at the Paris Exposition in 1889, on the occasion of his visit
there. The statue, mounted on a base three feet high, is an allegorical
representation of the supremacy of electric light over all other forms
of illumination, carried out by the life-size figure of a youth with
half-spread wings seated upon the ruins of a street gas-lamp, holding
triumphantly high above his head an electric incandescent lamp. Grouped
about his feet are a gear-wheel, voltaic pile, telegraph key, and
telephone. This work of art was executed by A. Bordiga, of Rome, held
a prominent place in the department devoted to Italian art at the Paris
Exposition, and naturally appealed to Edison as soon as he saw it.

In the middle distance, between the entrance door and this statue, has
long stood a magnificent palm, but at the present writing it has been
set aside to give place to a fine model of the first type of the Edison
poured cement house, which stands in a miniature artificial lawn upon
a special table prepared for it; while on the floor at the foot of the
table are specimens of the full-size molds in which the house will be
cast.

The balustrades of the galleries and all other available places are
filled with portraits of great scientists and men of achievement, as
well as with pictures of historic and scientific interest. Over the
fireplace hangs a large photograph showing the Edison cement plant
in its entire length, flanked on one end of the mantel by a bust of
Humboldt, and on the other by a statuette of Sandow, the latter having
been presented to Edison by the celebrated ath