CHAPTER IX
LANTERN BOXES, STANDS, READING LAMPS, ETC.
Having now discussed all the essential parts of a lantern, the next points to be considered are those of lantern boxes and stands. It is best to take these together, as more often than not a lantern is arranged to stand upon its box during use, and the plan is both convenient and simple. The whole question is one to be settled upon its own merits in each individual case. Sometimes neither box nor stand is wanted at all. The lantern is put away into a locked-up cupboard or other safe place, and used upon a permanent support or (as is often the case in a church) from a gallery at the back.
In most cases, however, a box of some sort is desirable, and the two main considerations are strength and simplicity.
All patent arrangements, such, for example, as those in which the sides of the box fall down and provide trays for the slides, are beautiful in theory, but cannot be recommended in practice. A good, simple and substantial box is what is required, preferably painted black, and provided with strong handles.
One addition may be permitted, viz. a tilting top. Some means for tilting the lantern is always advisable, as it is seldom convenient to raise the instrument to the level of the centre of the screen, and a slight upward elevation does not appreciably distort the image. This arrangement for tilting may be either embodied in the lantern itself, as for instance in the instrument shown in Fig. 42, or may be provided for on the box or on the stand, if a stand is used.
It is, perhaps, an elaboration that may be regarded as not strictly necessary, as a book or two or other article may be placed under the lantern base as required; but a tilting arrangement is so convenient that it can be strongly recommended, and the addition is not expensive.
For large, long-range lanterns a strong deal box, on which the lantern can stand, is usually all that it is desirable to purchase in the way of a support. A good solid table can usually be found, which will do all the rest, as it must be remembered that a slight tilt at a long range means a good deal of total elevation.