1 62 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



a few years before, the results of which were 

 carefully docketed in a pigeon-hole at the Admiralty ! 



In June, 1876, I received a letter from Mr. Cross, 

 the Home Secretary, asking to be allowed to submit 

 my name to the Queen for appointment on the Noxious 

 Vapours Commission. I accepted the nomination, and 

 was engaged for some time with my colleagues, in 

 visiting the alkali and copper works in various parts of 

 the country, and in framing a report and recommenda- 

 tions. Lord Aberdare was chairman and Mr. Fitz- 

 gerald secretary. Many of our recommendations are 

 now embodied in the amended Alkali Acts of 1891 

 and 1892. In the first place, the amended Acts ex- 

 tended the schedule of works in which the escape of 

 acid fumes could be regulated ; secondly, they provided 

 for an apportionment of damages amongst the various 

 contributors thereto ; and thirdly, provided that all 

 acid drainage must be kept apart from the alkaline 

 drainage of the waste heaps, thus preventing a serious 

 nuisance from the escape of sulphuretted hydrogen. 



The escape of noxious vapours cannot in all cases 

 be prevented without seriously interfering with trade. 

 For instance, in glass works an enormous quantity of 

 salt cake (sulphate of soda) is employed, the sulphuric 

 oxide being given off in the process of fritting the 

 materials. No one has yet proposed a method by 

 which these acid fumes could be collected or absorbed 

 without greatly damaging the industry by reason of 

 the costliness of such a process. There is, however, 

 no doubt that our recommendations were of great 

 value in extending the operation of the Acts and in 

 rendering their provisions more effective. 



In the autumn of 1877 the British Association 

 held its meeting in Dublin, Allen Thomson being 



