PREFACE. 



IN presenting the following work to the public, I may preface it 

 by a few words, stating the reasons which have induced me to com- 

 pile it. I am acquainted with no work which, following the pro- 

 gress of the science of Gas -lighting from its first invention down to 

 the present day, and including the numerous improvements which 

 have of late years ceconomized the production of gas, and facili- 

 tated its application to the wants and convenience of society, affords 

 to the engineer the practical statements and details^which he re- 

 quires in the management of Gas-Works. I have endeavoured to 

 meet this want ; and in order to render my work useful, I have 

 made it essentially practical ; adding, by way of Introduction, a brief 

 sketch of the origin and progress of the invention. I may here 

 observe, that my principal inducement to write this work has been 

 the great advantage I have enjoyed hi having access to, and the 

 free use of, my father's manuscripts and notes the result of 

 his long labours and experience in this department of our pro- 

 fession. To him I am indebted for a great mass of valuable ma- 

 terials. I need only add, that I have spared no pains to verify 

 all my statements and calculations, and to obtain, from the best 



sources, the information I required. 



S. C. 



16 Sidmouth Street, Regent Square, 

 April 10th, 1841. 



