1823.] Gas Light Establishments. 419 



remedied, by the substitution of one material for another. 

 These are, therefore, points to which the attention of all the 

 companies should be directed. 



It is further also to be observed, that as the deposit by which 

 these pipes are liable to be stopped, is a sulphate either of iron 

 or copper, this evil may be greatly diminished by the greater 

 purity ofthe gas. 



This, therefore, becomes an additional reason for urging the 

 utmost attention to the process of perfectly purifying the gas 

 previously to its entering the pipes, independent of many other 

 advantages, such as the "diminution of its offensive odour in every 

 part of its course and application, and of the mischief which 

 occurs to gilding, furniture, Sec. in the rooms in which impure 

 gas is burned. 



Regulations which it appears important to enforce. 



Enough has already been stated on the probability of accident 

 and the extent of danger, to prove the necessity of enforcing 

 certain restrictions as to the quantity of gas suffered to be accu- 

 mulated within a given space ; by which restrictions not only 

 the size of the gasometers hereafter to be constructed, or the 

 quantity of gas to be allowed to be admitted into those already 

 constructed, shall be limited, but by which also the proximity of 

 these gasometers to each other shall be regulated, as well as 

 their distance from any inhabited buildings. I shall now, there- 

 fore, proceed to the consideration of these restrictions. 



Much unwarrantable and inconsiderate extension has pro- 

 ceeded in all these respects since the first Report ofthe Royal 

 Society on this subject in 1814 ; and it may not now be practi- 

 cable, without exceedingly embarrassing the companies, and, 

 consequently, inconveniencing the public, both as to the price 

 and as to the supply of gas, to make any immediate reform ; but 

 I have no hesitation in saying, that the gasometers now gene- 

 rally in use contain a much greater quantity of gas than can be 

 accumulated with perfect safety ; and that they are placed much 

 too near to each other, and too near to some of the most popu- 

 lous parts ofthe town. 



The recommendation contained in the Report of the Royal 

 Society in 1814, limited the size ofthe gasometers to 6000 cubic 

 feet ; the expense, however, attending this limitation, from their 

 contents being so small in proportion to their surfaces, is such, 

 that I conceive it might be expedient to seek for an equivalent 

 security by other precautions, and to allow a greater latitude as 

 to the magnitudes of the gasometers. Taking, therefore, ample 

 space around each gasometer, I do not know that there would 

 be much to apprehend from the use of gasometers measuring 

 about 20,000 cubic feet, and working between 15,000 and 20,000 

 of these feet ; but with such quantities in each, I am decidedly 

 of opinion, that these gasometers should not be placed nearer 



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