For many, many years out in the barns on the old family farm, the folks used Kerosene in Hurricane/RR-style lanterns and White Gas in Coleman-style pump-up lanterns with the mesh wicks. Through the process of getting the wrong fluid in the wrong lantern (Ooopppsie!), they ended up one cold winter evening with no flame in one and a brilliant light in the other. Now, being the inquisitive types they were and always interested in saving a nickel, they turned the error into a 'win-win' solution and started using White Gas in all the Hurricane lanterns instead of Kerosene.
The White Gas in the Hurricane lanterns gave off a solid flame and the glass didn't need to be cleaned as often, it just burned brighter and stayed cleaner longer.
Soooo, after that, White Gas was the chosen fluid. With the advent of electric lights on the farm, they didn't need to store gallons of White Gas anymore and only bought smaller cans sold as 'Charcoal Lighter Fluid'. Due to changes in refining, the flame from this 'new' fluid was even more brighter than with White Gas! The rest was history.
Over the past 30 odd years I have only used Charcoal Lighter Fluid in all my lanterns with continued success, cheap fluid burns as bright as the expensive kind and wicks last years longer as well. In addition, it is a safer fluid to use, if it inadvertantly gets spilled on something, it dissipates faster than an oil-based fluid or Kerosene. Scented oils are nice for Bug lights but are sometimes irritating to the skin and some people are sensitive to the frangrances used in the oil-based fluids.
From a safety standpoint, Charcoal Lighter Fluid is the best route to go as it is not scented and easily washes off your skin with a Wet Wipe, a wet paper towel or soap and water, if spilled on your clothing a simple warm or cold water spotting will generally suffice.
Lighting is also faster with a match or other form of lighter as the viscosity is such that it ignites at a much faster rate than other fluids, thusly ading another form of safety in that you are less likey to burn yourself with a match while trying to light a stubborn wick in the wind.
I encourage all that have a lantern of this type to consider the above info and safety factors and enjoy a safe evening of warm and bright light whilst enjoying your favorite hobby!
Best regards and good filling!
'Ol Gabe