452 On Safety -lamps, and the Barrier formed 



The seam was stitched together with intervals not less than |th 

 of an inch ; and this had served repeatedly to explore the mine 

 and ascertain the ])resence of the fire-damp. Tliese facts are 

 important to our question, and place it in a new and interesting 

 point of regard. 



It is harsh and unl)ecoming, I deem, sir, to ridicule this happy 

 invention ; for myself, 1 cannot make merrv when the question 

 at issue is that of the Hves of human beings: — Is it not too 

 severe to blend the name of its discoverer with contemptuous 

 sarcasm? — introduce the language of the admirers of tliis prin- 

 ciple of security with pantomimic farce? — and to turn the praise 

 honestly bestowed on ISir H. Davy, into invectives against him? 

 I should be glad to know who it is that has done more for che- 

 mical science than this philosopher (I would not depreciate the 

 labours of his contemporaries, or undervalue preceding chemists): 

 What discovery, I ask, has ever imposed a higher claim than 

 this safe-lamp, on our tribute of admiration ? Mr. Langmire 

 suspects it is unsafe — 1, on the otiier hand, know that it is se- 

 cure under every possible circumstance. This language Mr. L. 

 will pronounce bold and assuming; — but it has been proved safe 

 luider circumstances which can never occur in the mine. — A 

 friend of mine got a small safe-lamp, not more than one lialf 

 the size of those in common use, and where the danger was pro- 

 portionally enhanced, this, containing 784 apertures in the 

 S(juare inch, was plunged into a mixture of oxygen and super- 

 curhuretted hydrogen: the wire-gauze became speedily red hot; 

 but it was found even under this severe test perfectly safe. Sir 

 Humphry Davy is blamed, I think unfairly, for the mere me- 

 chanical part of the structure ; and the term " lamp making," 

 and the word " original," are associated in a manner which is 

 unfeeling and undeserved. The I'alm and dispassionate suffrages 

 of the gentlemen who voted to Sir H. a piece of plate, for the 

 eminent service rendered to the cause of miners, forcibly re- 

 pel the unjlist attack. Would it not be an insult to their un- 

 derstanding and good sense, to say that the merits of the dis- 

 covery had not been fully canvassed, or that they were incapable 

 of appreciating the benefits rendered to humanity by its means? 

 1 challenge in the most unecjuivocal manner Mr. L. to point out 

 a single accident which has occurred where Sir H. Davy's lamp, 

 as constructed by Mr. Newman, of Lisle-street, has been used. 

 This is the most decisive appeal that I can make, or can be made, 

 in its favour, — I thiidv I could guaranty iv'ith my hfe its abso- 

 lute safety. The luear of the materials is a point which none can 

 prevent — nmtability is impressed upon all the works ofNature. 

 To defy or controul the operations of natural causes, to endea- 

 vour to stem the ravages of time, is a folly wliich could never 



enter 



I 



