The carcel globes ...

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Marius Hancu - 26 Nov 2006 13:46 GMT

Hello:

I wasn't able to find any reasonable definition for "carcel" here:

--------
"Madame Olenska is a great favourite with the gentlemen," said Miss
Sophy, with her air of wishing to put forth something conciliatory
when she knew that she was planting a dart.

"Ah, that's the danger that a young woman like Madame Olenska is
always exposed to," Mrs. Archer mournfully agreed; and the ladies, on
this conclusion, gathered up their trains to seek the carcel globes of
the drawing-room, while Archer and Mr. Sillerton Jackson withdrew to
the Gothic library.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, p. 293
http://www.bookrags.com/ebooks/541/141.html
-------

Thank you.
Marius Hancu

Reply to this Message

LFS - 26 Nov 2006 14:03 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> http://www.bookrags.com/ebooks/541/141.html
> -------

OED says:

carcel-lamp, a lamp in which the oil is pumped up to the wick by
clockwork. Called also the French or mechanical lamp.

Signature

Laura
(emulate St. George for email)

Reply to this Message

Marius Hancu - 26 Nov 2006 14:09 GMT

> OED says:
>
> carcel-lamp, a lamp in which the oil is pumped up to the wick by
> clockwork. Called also the French or mechanical lamp.

OK, now I see on the Web that it's mainly used in lighthouses.
Wonder about the "clockwork" thing though. That must be interesting to
see:-)

Thank you.

Marius Hancu

Reply to this Message

Isabelle Cecchini - 26 Nov 2006 14:08 GMT

Marius Hancu a écrit :

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Thank you.
> Marius Hancu

I think the "carcel globes" are the globes found on "carcel lamps". Nice
pic here:
http://www.drawrm.com/lights1.htm

"Carcel" is the name of the French inventor of the system found in those
lamps.

Signature

Isabelle Cecchini

Reply to this Message

Marius Hancu - 26 Nov 2006 14:35 GMT

> I think the "carcel globes" are the globes found on "carcel lamps". Nice
> pic here:
> http://www.drawrm.com/lights1.htm

Yes, nice pic, thanks.
Marius Hancu

Reply to this Message

R H Draney - 27 Nov 2006 05:40 GMT

Isabelle Cecchini filted:

>I think the "carcel globes" are the globes found on "carcel lamps". Nice
>pic here:
>http://www.drawrm.com/lights1.htm
>
>"Carcel" is the name of the French inventor of the system found in those
>lamps.

With no other resource than a head full of dodgy cognates, I would have assumed
it had something to do with jail....r

Signature

"Keep your eye on the Bishop. I want to know when
he makes his move", said the Inspector, obliquely.

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

The carcel globes ...