that by far the greater part of Mr. Ricardo's conclusions against the use of coal gas in favour of oil gas, are drawn from distorted and erroneous data; and that Mr. Ricardo must imagine that no improvements have taken place in the manufacture of coal gas for the last five years, whilst in that of oil gas, it should seem, that one gallon of oil, which formerly made eighty cubic feet, wilk now afford one hundred cubic feet of gas." After examining every one of the points in dispute with a mixture of good-humour and sarcasm, he concludes with an observation which proves with what minute attention he had noticed various circumstances affecting the production and transmission of the gases; and states, as "a source of discrepancy of opinion, too frequently overlooked in the analysis of the gases, that of experimenting upon them immediately after their production, or after they have been made some time, and have been transmitted to a great distance, perhaps miles, through a series of cold pipes, whereby the deposition of a highly volatile oil takes place, which, in the former case, would have added greatly to its illuminating power, to its specific gravity, and, of course, to the quantity of oxygen it would

consume."*

* Philosophical Magazine, Vol. LVII. page 241.

It may not be irrelevant to notice, that Mr. Ricardo replied to Mr. Lowe in the Annals of Philosophy for July following, by a repetition of his former assertions, though somewhat modified; and he also stated, that "the works at Whitechapel Road, for an Oil-Gas Establishment (allowing for contingencies), will require a capital of about £5000,* and £500 for carrying them on; and that they will produce one hundred and fifty thousand cubic feet of gas in the year, sufficient for the supply of eight hundred or a thousand lights." The preceding circumstances are related to exhibit the means first employed to introduce the use of oil gas, and which continued a source of discussion for several years afterwards. In the year 1821, companies were also formed for lighting with oil gas, at Norwich and Hull; in the succeeding year at Dublin, Plymouth, and Taunton; and in 1823 at Liverpool.

* Instead of the cost being about £5000, it proved to be £9000, according to the evidence of Mr. Crawley (a director) to the Committee of the House of Commons, on the London and Wesminster Oil-Gas Bill, in 1825.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE REPORTS OF A COMMITTEE OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY AND OF SIR WILLIAM CONGREVE RE

FERRED TO A SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The astonishingly rapid progress of Gas-lighting, in the course of only a few years, affords a striking and instructive proof of the great effects which may be produced by the combined exertions of science, ingenuity, and perseverance. The annals of art furnish no parallel, whether we look to the extent of its application, its advances in improvement, or the various other branches of the mechanical arts to which it has either given rise or a powerful impulse. Contemplating the successful accomplishment of purposes through a long struggle with opposition and difficulties, those who had been the most active agents in its promotion were looking to that quiet enjoyment which ought to be the result of useful labours, and the successful accomplishment of great purposes. However, an ordeal, as new as it was unexpected, had been silently preparing for the further exercise of their patience, courage and skill; but the duration of the contest was short, and the powers it called forth rendered

most essential service to their cause; for, by the knowledge they diffused on the subject, and the facts they disclosed, the impressions produced by fallacy and misrepresentation were effectually and triumphantly obviated.

As the use of gas lights became more generally extended, it produced a spirit of enterprise in the metropolis with respect to its objects, and occasioned the formation of different companies for engaging in its operations, with a view to participate in the pecuniary advantages which seemed likely to be the result. The magnitude of such establishments also greatly augmented and required a proportionate number of gasometers of such large dimensions as were commensurate with the increasing demand for gas, and fully adequate to their future purposes. But the great increase in the number of these very capacious vessels, containing such a large quantity of gas, and their being placed in the vicinity of such a dense population, gave rise to serious considerations with respect to their safety. Besides, some explosions had occasionally happened, either from carelessness or accident; and though the mischief produced by them was comparatively trivial, yet they had of course created alarm. Looking, however, to the great number of works and the extent of their operations, the accidents which had occurred were so few and unimportant that

they might rather have excited surprise than apprehension; but, at the same time, it ought to be observed, that the circumstance affords very striking and cogent evidence of the care, vigilance, and precaution, employed in the management of such concerns.

The Report of the Committee of the Royal Society, in which they detailed the results of their inquiries into the causes of the explosions at Mr. Lukin's works for seasoning timber, at Woolwich, in January 1812, and that at the Gas Works in Peter Street (by which Mr. Clegg was injured), in 1813, probably occasioned the insertion of the clause in the Act of the Chartered Company in 1816, for subjecting their works to the inspection of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The same Act also invested him with the power of controlling and regulating their operations, so far as the public safety and convenience were concerned ; and hence originated the appointment of Sir William Congreve, at a subsequent period, as the inspector of the gas works of the metropolis. The Report of the Royal Society is dated February 24, 1814, but it was not officially

The committee consisted of Sir Joseph Banks, Sir Charles Blagden, Sir William Congreve, James Lawson, John Rennie, and Smithson Tennant, Esquires; and Drs. George Saunders, W. H. Wollaston, and Thomas Young.