m Edinburgh, on the 23d March 1825. 91 



remain in its place, even under any circumstances of careless- 

 ness, gas could not have escaped from it, even in a considera- 

 ble space of time, sufficient to form an explosive mixture. 



To those who read with attention the preceding statement, 

 for the minute accuracy of which we can pledge ourselves, it 

 is unnecessary to add, that the particulars which have been de- 

 tailed, point out, in a striking manner, the safety, and not the 

 danger of using gas. The gas made its escape, neither from 

 accident nor from carelessness ; but the Jet which closed up the 

 end of the pipe wa.sjvrribly removed and carried off, and the 

 unfortunate boy, who had done the mischief, fell a victim 

 to the consequences which it produced. This accident must, 

 therefore, be ascribed to the following causes : 



1. To the blunder of the engineer in placing a burner in an 

 unventilated cellar. 



2. To the misconduct of the boy in having removed the 

 burner, so as to allow the gas to flow out of a large orifice ; and, 



3. To the ignorance and carelessness of the same person in 

 using a lighted candle, when it was known to himself that gas 

 had been escaping for a considerable time from some of the 

 pipes. 



Although these conclusions have been drawn by all persons 

 of intelligence, yet, in a city like this, where the explosion 

 was heard at a great distance, and its effects witnessed by all, 

 it is not to be wondered at, that ignorance and timidity should 

 have been induced by this accident to array themselves 

 aoainst the introduction of eas into their houses. The first of 

 these grounds of hostility has been already removed by the 

 accident itself, which, from being the subject of frequent con- 

 versation, has made the nature and advantages of gas very 

 generally understood. The second ground of hostility has 

 also, in a great measure, disappeared ; though to a certain ex- 

 tent it will, perhaps, always maintain its influence over ti- 

 morous minds. 



All such apprehensions, however, whether they originate 

 in ignorance, or timidity," must soon be dissipated by the 

 lights of knowledge. Individuals may receive or reject be- 

 nefits which science has offered only to themselves ; but those 



