INTRODUCTION OF LIGHTING BY COAL-GAS. 21 



candle-light, can have no adequate idea of the effect of an illumination by gas. It so 

 completely penetrates the whole atmosphere, and at the same time is so genial to the 

 eyesight, that it appears as natural and pure as daylight, and it sheds also a warmth as 

 purifying to the air as cheering to the spirits." 



When gas-lighting was first brought into general use, no proper chandeliers, 

 brackets, stop-cocks, etc. for the fitting of shops were to be found ; no one 

 was willing to commence their manufacture, considering it as a hopeless 

 scheme : Mr. Dixon was the first to begin. As early as 1807, Mr. Clegg, at a 

 considerable expense, had a chandelier made, with one of the chains hollow, 

 for the conveyance of gas ; this plan was many years afterwards patented by 

 a Scotch house. 



The Bat's-wing Burner was introduced by a Mr. Stone, an intelligent work- 

 man employed by Mr. Winsor. 



After the system of lighting with gas had been established, a great draw- 

 back was found from workmen commencing the trade of " fitter " without 

 understanding the business, their only aim being to make money ; their bad 

 fittings, leaking in all directions, caused various explosions, and the rooms 

 lighted were unbearable from the nauseous smell arising from the leaky 

 joints. 



A patent was about this time taken out for the plan of condensing gas into 

 vessels to render it portable ; though this was practised at an early period 

 by Sir James Lowther and Dr. Clayton, then by Mr. Murdoch, and after- 

 wards by Mr. Clegg, who, by condensing the gas into a copper globe, con- 

 veyed it from his manufactory to Stonyhurst College, where he exhibited the 

 new light previous to receiving the order for lighting the establishment. 



A great number of schemes for improvements on gas apparatus have been 

 patented within the last twelve years ; but all, except a few for improvements 

 in construction, are of little importance. I have noticed the most valuable in 

 this work. 



The Gas Meter and Governor are valuable additions to the manufacturer, 

 and were patented by Mr. Clegg in 1815. His first gas-meter consisted 

 of two large bladders, filled alternately with gas, and contained in tin 

 cans weighted to a certain pressure, the openings between them and the 

 burners being alternately closed with quicksilver. Owing to the action of 

 the various condensed impurities upon the bladders, they soon gave way. 

 Leather and different kinds of membrane, coated with varnish or gold-leaf, 



