A Memorable Lesson 



depart : no one but myself shall come near the 

 table. If an accident happen, I shall be the 

 only one to suffer; and, in my opinion, it is 

 worth a burn or two to make acquaintance 

 with oxygen. 



Two o'clock strikes; and my pupils enter 

 the class-room. I purposely exaggerate the 

 likelihood of danger. They are all to stay 

 on their benches and not stir. This is agreed. 

 I have plenty of elbow-room. There is no one 

 by me, except my acolyte, standing by my 

 side, ready to help me when the time comes. 

 The others look on in profound silence, rever- 

 ent towards the unknown. 



Soon the gaseous bubbles come "gloo- 

 glooing" through the water in the bell-jar. 

 Can it be my gas? My heart beats with ex- 

 citement. Can I have succeeded without any 

 trouble at the first attempt? We will see. A 

 candle blown out that moment and still re- 

 taining a red tip to its wick is lowered by a 

 wire into a small test-jar filled with my prod- 

 uct. Capital! The candle lights with a little 

 explosion and burns with extraordinary bril- 

 liancy. It is oxygen right enough. 



The moment is a solemn one. My audience 

 is astounded and so am I, but more at my own 

 success than at the relighted candle. A pufif 



443 



