[37] As shown in the [sketch].
In fact, no danger can arise from the application of gas-lights in any way, but what is common to candle-light, and lamps of all kinds, and is the fault of none of them. Even in this case the gas-lights are less hazardous. There is no risk of those accidents which often happen from the guttering or burning down of candles, or from carelessly snuffing them. The gas-light lamps and burners must necessarily be fixed to one place, and therefore cannot fall, or otherwise become deranged, without being immediately extinguished. Besides, the gas-light flames emit no sparks, nor are any embers detached from them. As a proof of the comparative safety of the gas-lights, it need only be stated, that the Fire-offices engage themselves to insure cotton-mills, and other public works, at a less premium, where gas-lights are used, than in the case of any other lights.[38] The excessive expence of insurance arising from the numerous candles employed in most of the first rate manufactories, and the combustible nature of the structure of the buildings; the great difficulty of retrieving the injury resulting to a well-organised business, from the accidental destruction of the machinery, are objects alone sufficient to furnish the strongest economical, as well as political recommendations, for the adoption of the new lights in all manufactories where work is done by candle-light.
[38] Since the preceding pages have been printed, I have seen a self-extinguishing gas-lamp, invented by Mr. Clegg. This lamp is so constructed, that the gas cannot flow to the burner, when the flame becomes extinguished. If, therefore, the lamp should be blown out, and the stop-cock which supplies the gas be left open, the extinction of the flame will effectually shut the valve. The action of this lamp depends upon the expansibility of a metallic rod, heated by the flame of the lamp, and thus keeping open the valve, whereas, when the lamp is extinguished, and the rod becomes cold, it contracts to its natural dimensions, and, by that means, effectually closes the valve. The same engineer has invented a machine, which both measures and registers, in the absence of the observer, the quantity of gas delivered by any pipe communicating with a gas-light main. The machine occupies a space of about two feet by one foot, and, if put up in a room, house, or other place, where gas is burnt, will, at any time, by mere inspection, give an account of the quantity of gas consumed in that place during any given time. On the present occasion, it would not become me to say more on these subjects, which, no doubt, Mr. Clegg will make known to the public; I shall only remark, that these contrivances do signal honour to the talents and abilities of the inventor; and that they will render the greatest services to those who are engaged in the gas-light illumination.
After considering the facts so far detailed, many other advantages, connected with the gas-light illumination, will naturally suggest themselves to the reader. I have endeavoured merely to point out the leading characters of the new lights, as they are at present. Ingenious men may speculate from what has been done to what remains to be effected, which, no doubt, will embrace objects of the greatest utility and most extended national importance. The public attention is awakened to the new properties of coal, and will not rest till they are extensively applied to economical purposes. The consequence will be, a considerable defalcation in the revenue. For, in proportion as the gas-lights are more or less generally adopted in all towns of the country, the consumption of oil and tallow will be diminished, and the impost on those articles become less productive; and when this takes place, Government, no doubt, will share in the profits, by levying a tax on the new lights. The Exchequer will thus have nothing to fear; as one branch of the revenue fails, another, and a more productive one, will supply its place.
Upon the whole, when we reflect that the object of the gas-light illumination is to open a source of national wealth, of which nothing can deprive us, to create, we may almost say, new articles of value, its friends cannot be thought guilty of great presumption, if they look forward with confidence to the successful extension of this new art of civil economy; and if, contrary to all expectations, the effects of jealousy and prejudice should, in some respect or other, continue here and there its influence against this new art of procuring light, a firm perseverance of its application must at length remove that ignorance which alone can give them birth.
TABULAR VIEW,
EXHIBITING
The quantity of Gas, Coke, Tar, Pitch, Essential Oil, and Ammoniacal Liquor, obtainable from a given quantity of Coal; together with an Estimate of the quantity of Coal necessary to produce a quantity of Gas, capable of yielding a Light equal in duration of time and intensity to that produced by Tallow Candles of different kinds.