If a number of minute holes are made in the end of a gas pipe, it forms as many jets de feu, which have a very brilliant appearance; these may sometimes be placed in the focus of a parabolic reflector. In cases where the light is required to be thrown to a distance, other burners are constructed upon the same principle as the Argand lamp, forming a cylinder of flame, and admitting a current of air both to the inside and outside.
On comparing the flame of a gas-light with the flame of a candle whatever its size may be, it appears just as yellow and dull as the flame of a common lamp appears when compared with that of a lamp of Argand. The beautiful whiteness of gas-light never fails to excite the surprize and admiration of those who behold it for the first time.
A large edifice or manufactory lighted by gas, contrasted with one of the same kind lighted by candles or lamps, resembles a street on the night of a general illumination, compared with the glimmering light of its ordinary parish lamps.
The intensity of one of the parish gas-light lamps, now exhibited in the streets of this metropolis, will bear ample testimony of this assertion; the light of the parish gas-lamps, is to the intensity of the parish oil lamps as 1 to 12.
One of the most obvious applications of the gas-light illumination unquestionably consists in lighting streets, shops and houses; and let it be observed that as this is found safe and economical, it proves all that the most ardent friends of the gas-light system can desire. For in contending with the common mode of lighting the streets and shops, the new lights must beat out of the market the cheapest of all artificial lights; and as it has succeeded in doing this it shews in the most satisfactory point of view, the prodigious advantages of gas-lights when compared with the materials of tallow and oil.
The original expence of laying the pipes for conveying the gas, together with the cost of the machinery, is all that is required; the preparation of the gas being itself a lucrative process, no doubt will pay all its expences besides the interest of capital, and leave a surplus of profit.
Indeed the application of the coal-gas, as a substitute for tallow and oil, to illuminate houses, shops, &c. is no longer problematical, a considerable extent of this capital, together with numerous shops and houses being already supplied with this species of light.[23]
[23] The Liberty of Norton Falgate, as far as Bishopgate-street, is lighted with gas-light, from the Chartered Company’s station at Norton Falgate; and gas-light pipes are laid from that station as far as the west end of Cheapside, and in all the streets north of that great thoroughfare.
In the West end of the Town, the main pipes for supplying the streets and houses with light from the Gas-Light Company, extend through the most eligible parts; from their Establishment in Peter-street, Westminster, along the line from Pall Mall to Temple-bar, compleatly surrounding the parish of St. Martin’s in the Field. Main pipes are also placed in the Hay-market, Coventry-street, Long-Acre, St. Martin’s-lane; and in the principal parts of the parishes of St. James and St. Ann.
In the East end of the metropolis, the gas-light mains extend from Cornhill to St. Paul’s, Wood-street, Fore-street, &c.—Consent has also been given to the incorporated Gas-Light Company for laying their pipes in the parish of St. Stephen’s in the Field; St. Paul Covent-garden; St. Mary-le-Strand; St. Clement Danes; St. George’s, Bloomsbury; St. Giles’s in the Fields; St. Andrew’s, Holborn, above the bars; part of the parish of St. Mary-la-bonne; besides several other districts, comprehending the whole of the city and suburbs of Westminster.