PETER SPENCE 277 



besides its proper elements a mixture of 

 carbon, carbonic oxide, carbonic acid, and 

 sulphurous acid gases, with the considerable 

 hydro-carbon compounds of our domestic 

 fires, we should then continually revel in an 

 atmosphere transparent, pure, and salubrious 

 as that which encircles the mountain's side, or 

 reclines on the ocean's bosom; and instead of 

 vegetation, with its charming green being 

 banished from the interior of our towns, and 

 even in their suburbs holding only a stunted, 

 miserable, and withering struggle for life, 

 every nook and corner where light could 

 descend might be enlivened by the evergreen 

 leaves of the climbing ivy, or with other 

 parasitical plants, and might be made fragrant 

 to the smell, while the eye was delighted with 

 their beautiful and variegated flowers." 



He felt assured these anticipations were 

 not extravagant, that this vision was no 

 chimera; but "a most desirable and practicable 

 reality," which he was convinced would in 

 time be realised. 



The proposal of ventilation by tall shafts 

 was some years after embodied in the con- 

 struction of the Manchester Assize Courts by 

 the architect, Mr. Waterhouse, who obtained 

 the necessary data from Mr. Spence. 



