esidents of the
Austro-Hungarian monarchy received 2,070 (2,031 in 1895), Austrians
coming first with 1,813 (1,683 in 1895), Hungarians second with 254
(347 in 1895), while residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina secured 3
patents (1 in 1895). Among foreigners the following show an increase
over 1895: United States, 394 (335); Great Britain, 355 (313); France,
244 (243); Switzerland, 94 (79); Belgium, 66 (48); Sweden and Norway,
60 (40); Italy, 50 (45); Russia, 47 (40); Australia, 32 (10); and
Netherlands, 26 (18). A decrease is shown by Germany, 1,887 (1,950);
Denmark, 10 (17); Canada, 7 (14); and Spain, 6 (10). The total number
of Austrian patents granted to foreigners in 1896 was 3,302, as
against 3,184 in 1895.

ENGLISH AND FRENCH LIGHTHOUSES.--An English engineer named Purves has
just made a comparison in regard to the intensity of light of the
lighthouses on the English coasts and those which illuminate the
shores of France. The comparison shows results which are altogether
favorable to France. The average illumination intensity of eighty-six
English lighthouses of the first class is 20,680 candle power, while
thirty-six first class French lighthouses give an average of 34,166
candle power. The difference is more striking if the lighthouses
constructed within the last ten years be considered. Since 1886 France
has built eleven lighthouses, whose average intensity of light is
8,200,000 candle power; the new lighthouse of Eckmuehl gives
40,000,000. According to Mr. Purves, the superior intensity of light
of the French lighthouse lies in the use of the flashing rays, which
have not yet found favor in England.

IN AN address by Thomas Morris, before the Staffordshire, England,
iron and steel works managers on the remarkable achievements that have
been reached in the manufacture of fine wire, the interesting fact was
mentioned that the lecturer had been presented by Warrington, the wire
manufacturer, with specimens for which some $4.32 per pound were paid,
or more than $8,600 per ton--drawn wire, largely used in the
construction of piano and other musical and mechanical instruments.
Among these specimens also was pinion wire, at a market price of
$21.60 per pound, or $43,200 per ton. It took 754 hairsprings to weigh
an ounce of 4371/2 grains; 27,000,000 of these were required to make a
ton, and, taking one to be worth 11/2 cents, the value of a ton of these
cheap little things ran up to over $400,000. The barbed instrume