70 NEW INVENTIONS. 



is its safety, for in most other systems the gases are apt to- 

 escape at the ground level, with fatal consequences to healtlu 



An old Spanish proverb says: "The two greatest evils 

 in life are a cold draught and a scolding wife." Mr. Boyle 

 determined to baffle the first evil. Observing that in most 

 cases where fresh air inlets were provided in both public 

 and private buildings they were generally kept closed in 

 cold weather, and the ventilation thus seriously interfered 

 with, he devised an extremely simple arrangement, by 

 means of which the air passing through the inlet tubes 

 can be raised to any temperature required, thus effectually 

 doing away with cold draughts, and obviating the necessity 

 of closing the inlets and so arresting the ventilation. 

 The apparatus consists of a round copper pipe placed in 

 zigzag fashion in the inlet tube, and connected with a 

 chamber at the bottom. In this chamber is fixed a Bunsen 

 burner, the flame of which ascends the tube, the products 

 of combustion being condensed and conveyed outside the 

 building by a small pipe let through the air-hole in the wall. 



The invention was first practically tried at the Guildhall, 

 London, and afterwards in a more improved form at 

 " Lloyd's," Royal Exchange, the Reform Club, Pall Mall, 

 and other public buildings, with very satisfactory results. 

 Mr. Boyle, however, is indebted for several improvements in 

 this appliance to the Right Honourable Acton Smee Ayrton, 



