Winsor's puffing tales about his discoveries and inventions without being surprised that he should: have had so much credit for them, though he urged his pretensions with unblushing confidence, and in the most hyperbolical language. As far as his object was notoriety, he obtained it; but time generally discloses truth in her native simplicity, whatever may be the covering with which artifice and error may envelope their delusions.

Early in 1809, Mr. Samuel Clegg communicated to the Society of Arts his plan of an apparatus for lighting manufactories with gas, for which he received a silver medal.* This circumstance had its effect, by concurring with Mr. Murdoch's plan, in promoting the progress of the art, for both were known to be practical men, who had long been engaged in its processes, and therefore entitled to attention and confidence from their knowledge and experience. It was in this year that Mr. Clegg erected a gas apparatus in Mr. Harris's manufactory at Coventry, and first introduced a paddle at the bottom of the tank to agitate the lime.

* Transactions of the Society of Arts, Vol XXVI. page 202.

CHAPTER VII.

THE ENDEAVOURS OF MR. WINSOR'S COMPANY TO OBTAIN AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THEM.

Though the subscribers to Mr. Winsor's New Light and Heat Company had been so much deceived, and the loss they had sustained by his fallacious statements proved to be so great, still they entertained sanguine expectations of success, and continued their operations in Pall Mall. Among them were some men who possessed great sagacity and perseverance, and sufficient evidence had been adduced to lead them to conclude that, however unfortunate their speculation had heretofore turned out, yet the advantages of Gas-lighting would eventually appear so obvious that both private and public considerations must lead to its general adoption. Events have shewn that their judgment was correct; and the year 1809 is memorable as the era when the first application was made to parliament for an act to incorporate a company, for the purpose of more effectually and beneficially carrying on its processes. This is a remarkably important fact in its history, for it was the foundation of the London and Westmin

ster Chartered Gas- Light and Coke Company. The capital proposed to be raised, at this time, was £200,000, and this sum was stated to be fully adequate to effect all the objects which they then had in view, though the present amount is more than four times that sum. The persons who applied for the act to form them into a company had many difficulties to combat, arising both from interest and prejudice. Their projects were represented as visionary, and the execution of them fraught with considerable danger; and hence some alarms were excited, which, in conjunction with various other causes, operated against the success of their application. On this occasion they were opposed by Mr. Murdoch, on the ground of his priority of right to the discovery, which entitled him to exclusive privileges if he chose to avail himself of the advantage; and this gave rise to a long and minute investigation before a committee of the House of Commons. The evidence of Messrs. Accum, Humphrey Davy, Lee, of Manchester, and James Watt, Jun., constituted the most important portion of that which was adduced, though many other persons were examined as to some of the minor points, and much useful information was obtained. However, the application terminated unsuccessfully, and probably the failure may be partly attributed to the impressions produced by

the puffing extravagancies of Mr. Winsor, and partly by the defective or erroneous evidence of Mr. Accum and others. Some calculations and statements made by Mr. Accum exposed him to the very severe animadversions of Mr. Brougham; and perhaps it will be admitted that they afforded good reasons for his remarks, for their style and tenor were not very unlike Mr. Winsor's advertisements; and Mr. Accum was also named as one of the directors.t

But the persons engaged in this scheme had long been too familiar with difficulties and disappointments to be discouraged by a single defeat; and the circumstances attending it had afforded them such instruction, as prompted and justified them in renewing their attempt in the succeeding year.

Experience invariably proves, that important objects cannot be attained unless by great, earnest, and persevering, exertions; and therefore the

* See extracts from Mr. Winsor's publications in Appendix C.

+ Mr. Accum's evidence elucidates the views of the applicants, and it also exhibits the state of his own knowledge of the operations connected with the subject of Gas-lighting at that period. As it was printed by order of the House of Commons, and is seldom to be procured, I have given the principal part of it in the Appendix, D.

merit of surmounting obstacles must ever be proportionate to their magnitude. Though in one attempt the applicants had failed to obtain legal power and authority to carry their extensive schemes into effect, their pecuniary interest in its success, independently of other considerations, must naturally have stimulated them to make farther efforts. Consequently, in 1810, another application was made to Parliament, and though they encountered some opposition, and incurred considerable expense, they succeeded in obtaining an act to authorize his Majesty to grant them a charter, within three years from the time of passing the act. But the bill, as originally introduced, was materially altered, and certain conditions were imposed, which limited their powers to London, Westminster, Southwark, and the suburbs adjacent. Besides, it was stipulated that, if required, they should contract with the parishes of London, Westminster, and Southwark, to furnish a stronger and better light, and at a cheaper and lower price, all expenses included, than such parishes could be supplied with oil, if lighted in the usual manTheir capital was limited to £200,000, which was to be raised in shares of fifty pounds each; they were not authorized to exercise any of the powers granted by the act till such time as £100,000 were subscribed; and the act also obliged them to raise the full sum of £200,000

ner.