37 i Royal Societij. 



lias displayed much candour and impartiality, and knowledge of 

 the subject on which he writes. His book will be found highly 

 useful to those who wish to acquire a practical knowledge of the 

 subject on which it treats, and will enable mechanics to erect the 

 apparatus necessary for carrying the gas-light illumination into 

 eifect. !t will remove many misapprehensions concerning the 

 safety of the new lights ; it will show the impossibility of streets 

 or towns illuminated with coal being suddenly thrown into dark- 

 ness by the fracture of one or more gas-light mains, or by the 

 destruction of one or more of the gas-light machineries, as 

 has been represented by some misguided individuals ; and it will 

 give to those who are unacqtiaintcd with the nature of the gas- 

 light illumination, a fair and not over-charged statement of the 

 merits and defects of this new art of illumination; whilst at the 

 r.ame time the chemist will meet with facts relating to the sub- 

 ject of the gas-light illumination, which will arrest his attention, 

 and add to the general stock of chemical knowledge. 



The plates, which arc 5even in number, are neatly engraved : 

 they exhibit not only the large machineries now successfully em- 

 ployed in lighting streets, houses, and public edifices in this me- 

 tropolis, but likewise the smaller apparatus made use of in ma- 

 nufactories and other private establishments. 



Before concluding, we cannot avoid recommending to the 

 different gas companies to pay attention to the purifying of their 

 gas by passing it through^ water, and particularly to avoid the 

 use of coals containing sulphur, as we have noticed that where- 

 cver sulphur is burnt, as in vitriol manufactories, the workmen 

 always lose their teeth, and very speedily too. We mention this 

 with no invidious intention ; for we consider the introduction of 

 gas-light into general use as an object of great national import- 

 ance; and we would be sorry, should ignorance or inattention on 

 the part of those who embarlc in such undei takings, as objects 

 of commercial speculation, induce an effect which would set the 

 whole comnnmity in array against this mode of illumination. 



LXVIII. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



ROYAL SOCIETV. 



April 29. A PAPER was read from Mr. Seppings, containing 

 some additional remarks to his former one, on an improved me- 

 thod of ship-building. The author chiefly directed his attention 

 to some points commented on by Dr. Young, and alleged the 

 insufficiency of mere theory when confronted by practice : he 

 dwelt particularly on the fact, that the French never built any 



ships 



