102 



report " On the Air of Mines," chiefly those of Cornwall, 

 presented to government, by whose directions the inquiry 

 into the atmospheric conditions prevailing in mines was 

 undertaken. Dr. Smith's memoirs on other scientific sub- 

 jects are not numerous. Among them may be mentioned 

 those on rosolic acid, on the absorption of gases by charcoal, 

 which he supposed to take place in certain definite propor- 

 tions and on the "Measurement of the Actinism of the 

 Sun's Rays and of Daylight " (Proceedings, Royal Society, 

 XXX, 855), in which a novel method of measurement is des- 

 cribed. His study of peat, which treated of a favourite subject 

 of his, was perhaps more practical than scientific in character. 



This is perhaps not the place to mention in detail his 

 work in connection with technical subjects, but one of his 

 inventions must not be passed over in silence, viz. that for 

 coating iron tubes with an impermeable varnish, so as to 

 preserve them from corrosion. Of this invention experts 

 entertain the very highest opinion, and it may safely be 

 said that had he been endowed with more wordly prudence, 

 he might by this invention alone have amassed a consider- 

 able fortune. Like many other inventors he never enjoyed 

 the rewards to which his ingenuity entitled him — it is for 

 the world to acknowledge, by words at least, the benefits 

 he conferred on it — for those who are unable or unwilling 

 to fight and struggle for wealth and position it has no other 

 recompense to offer. 



In the year 1864 Dr. Smith was appointed chief inspector 

 under the Alkali Act, which had just previously been passed 

 by the legislature, a post for which he was from his intimate 

 knowledge of atmospheric contamination eminently fitted. 

 Great complaints having arisen regarding the injury done 

 to crops and other things by the emanations from alkali 

 works, an Act Avas passed the object of which was to limit 

 the amount of injurious gases, especially hydrochloric acid 

 which should be allowed to escape from the flues of alkali 

 works. 



