Sun Times 4312

[kalahari12]

Can someone please explain why 5 across (Goes over light cloak (6) ) is mantle? I know a mantle is a cloak. Could they be suggesting a mantle is also a crust? Thanks.

[Schutzengel]

Kalahari. You are probably too young to remember, but a "gas mantle" went over gas lights in houses years and years ago, they were small white mesh-like covers which 'cloaked' or 'covered the gas flame, and glowed when it became hot. They also had to be replaced from time to time, as they wore out. So as you said a person's cloak is called a mantle, as is a gaslight mantle. You may occasionally see one in a period film of the early 1900's.
Hope this helps. Schutz.

[kalahari12]

Early 1900s? You know what Schutz, I am too young to remember!! Thanks for clearing up my confusion.

[MardlingMan]

Was a mantle part of gas lamp. I think it was heated by the burning gas which caused the mantle to incandesce

[Schutzengel]

Kalahari, I knew you would be too young. What I said was you might see one in a period film set in the early 1900s. They were still in use in the 1930s, and I thought you would be too young to have seen one then. I have only seen one in a film as in the 1930s I was still only a twinkle in my dad's eye. :-) Cheers. Schutz.

[kalahari12]

Schutz, your last post triggered a memory and I just looked on the web and now realise Gas Light is an old film I have seen. I can not remember if the used that kind of gas light in the film but I do remember those parafin lamps that you would pressurise and gave a very bright flame. I think those had a mantle as well that you could adjust. I feel slightly less ignorant today!!

[RayBaines]

My grandparent's house did not have mains electricity and was lit by gas even into the mid-1960's. I can confirm the fragile nature of the gas mantles and clearly remember that they gave out a bright white light - easily bright enough to read by.