20 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Allied Sovereigns visited England, the devices in gas-lights far exceeded in 

 splendour anything before or since exhibited ; the principal illumination was a 

 Pagoda, erected by order of Government in St. James's Park. This Pagoda was 

 octagonal, composed of wood, eighty feet high, at each angle of which a per- 

 forated pipe was fixed ; a projecting pipe was also placed at every angle of each 

 story, in the form of a griffin's head, pierced with small holes, through which 

 issued jets of gas. At the lowest orifice of each perpendicular pipe a small oil- 

 lamp was concealed, which, when lighted, ignited the first jet of gas ; this com- 

 municated the light to the next jet, and so on to the summit. The burners of 

 each angle were thus simultaneously ignited, and the gas-light rose into the air 

 with the majesty of a rocket ; and the Pagoda (illuminated by more than ten 

 thousand burners) was fired in a few seconds, the whole appearing like a mass 

 of living light. This device was fortunately exhibited to the Prince Regent and 

 most of the Royal Family at their request on the night previous to the general 

 illumination; their Highnesses walked in Carlton Gardens to witness the 

 effect, and expressed great approbation. The night on which this first grand 

 display of gas-lighting was to have been exhibited to the public, Sir William 

 Congreve, contrary to Mr. Clegg's advice and request, insisted upon letting 

 off fireworks from the Pagoda before the gas should be turned on ; the con- 

 sequence was, that the whole erection was burnt to the ground. The accident 

 was not only mortifying on account of the expense and trouble incurred by 

 the Gas Company in this affair, but still more unfortunate, as gas-lighting 

 had been only lately introduced, and all new schemes (as great improvements 

 are generally called) have many enemies. A report was spread abroad the 

 following day, that the gas had set fire to the Pagoda : the public were never 

 entirely undeceived. 



In 1815, Guildhall was lighted with gas ; the following paragraph is extracted 

 from one of the papers of the day : 



" LORD MAYOR'S DAY. Yesterday, this annual ceremony was celebrated with more 

 than usual display ; but the great and striking attraction was the renovated appearance 

 of Guildhall. It would not be easy to conceive a more imposing spectacle than was pre- 

 sented when the whole company sat down to dinner. The profuse delicacies of the table, 

 the waving feathers and sparkling jewels of the ladies, the mild splendour of the gas, 

 shedding a brightness clear as summer's noon, but undazzling and soft as moonlight, 

 altogether formed a magnificent combination worthy the inauguration of the presiding 

 citizen of the great city. Those who have been used only to the brilliancy of oil and 



