We do not know (at the time of writing) its limit of value, having only just now got it. It is safe—no doubt of that. It is the best kindler ever discovered—no doubt of that. But to what extent it is going to be used for summer fuel and fuel for transient occasions of all sorts we do not know. It is a new thing of very great importance everywhere. We therefore state what we know of it carefully.
The reason why it does not explode is that the oil is fast in the pores of the brick and can’t get out, except as it is slowly driven out by the fire. Kerosene lamps are dangerous; but you are careful with them. There is no possible way in which the kerosene-brick can explode. The only harm that can come of it is through keeping a larger supply of kerosene for fuel then you would keep for light. The answer to that is that a barrel is no worse than a pint. Either is enough to blow a house into kindling-wood.
The reason why it is the best kindler is that it is the cheapest—in other respects it is not much better than pitch-pine.
Tradesmen are likely to overstate the cheapness of it; but it is very cheap—how cheap depends, of course, on the cost of your kerosene; and that is so different in different parts of the country that we cannot give the cost of using the kerosene-brick. It saves its cost in wood perhaps ten times over.
It makes smoke and soot; but they go up chimney.
The first cost of the kerosene-brick is as follows:[A]
No. 1. Price 35 cents; for 40 cents in new subscriptions.
No. 2. Price 50 cents; for 60 cents in new subscriptions.
No. 3. Price 75 cents; for 85 cents in new subscriptions.
No. 4. Price $1.20; for $1.35 in new subscriptions.
No. 5. Price $1.75; for $2 in new subscriptions.
No. 6. Price $1.50; for $1.70 in new subscriptions.
And you want a peculiar sort of tongs (see the cut) for handling the kerosene-brick. Price 25 cents; for 30 cents in new subscriptions.
To save express charges, we ship from the manufacturer’s nearest place of business (nearest to you) wherever that may be.
There is going to be a kerosene-brick of a shape to imitate wood for use in open fire-places. Not yet made and may not be so handy to fill. By the way, we haven’t told how to fill the kerosene-brick.