1816.] Method of Ventilating Houses. 117 
ventive genius of other nations often comes to receive its reward. 
This Gentleman found refuge here with a numerous and infant 
family from the storms of the Revolution. 1 understand that his 
own estimable character, and his very interesting family, have pro- 
cured for him here the attachment of many of our countrymen; 
and he clings to their friendship, and to English security, in pre- 
ference to any thing which his former country now offers. If, be- 
sides informing the public on a subject very important to it, 1 by 
this little account also render a service to such a man, it will be an 
additional pleasure to me. 
In considering the progressive improvements which men have 
made, and which at the present day they are making more rapidly 
than ever, in the arts of life, it is impossible not to be forcibly struck 
by the contrast which occasionally appears between early attempts 
and subsequent perfection. With regard to the subject of the pre- 
sent paper, for instance: man, without shelter and protection, re- 
wires for his comfortable existence the warmth of countries on 
which the sun darts nearly perpendicular rays, still by progressive 
art he has contrived to make even the regions of the frozen pole 
afford him almost every enjoyment of which his existence is capable. 
It was near the equator that Omnipotent Benevolence placed the 
first inhabitants of the earth, when new-born reason had not yet 
learned to mould obedient nature to its purposes; but as the race 
multiplied and spread, shelter was to be sought against the chilling 
blasts which were now found threatening death to the tender organ- 
izations of warmer climes. Here man built his cabin, and shut 
out the storm; he lighted his fire, and the noise of the elements 
without made him but feel more sensibly his comfort and security 
within. His means are now so complete, that he produces at will 
the climate which pleases him, in whatever part of the world he be 
placed; and thus while all other animals, unless protected by hin, 
must perish when removed from the zone in which they first ap- 
peared, he, the lord of all, has made the whole earth his comfort- 
able home, and its varieties of climate but minister to his pleasures. 
Iam, dear Sir, yours, &c. 
Brunswick-square, Dec. 18, 1815. A. ARNoT?. 
ArticLte IX. 
On Lighting Coal Mines. With a Plate. 
Dec. 2, 1815, 
Pereant qui ante nos nostra inveniunt, : 
" ‘TE accompanying figure (P]. XLII. Fig. 2) ofan air-tight lantern 
to be used in co«l-mines is in principle and form unquestionably of 
my own original conception, invention, and construction, many 
months ago. Upon the production of Sir H. Davy’s lantern it was 
