680 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



but the heat is in proportion to the light; therefore, if you obtain 

 the same quantity of light through the medium of candles, oil or 

 burning fluid, you will experience the same heat. Forethought 

 and contrivance can regulate this matter according to circum- 

 stances. 



How often we hear people say our rooms were comfortable 

 when we burned sperm candles, but now that we have admitted 

 gas, they are excessively warm. The reason is they economised 

 when burning candles, generally using two, and seldom four, 

 consequently they created but little heat, and gave a like quan- 

 tity of light. When gas was admitted, it was found cheap, and 

 pleasant, each jet producing as much light as twelve candles, and 

 corresponding heats, all of which might be avoided by the little 

 forethought above mentioned. Use the gas with the same econo- 

 my that you did sperm candles, and there will be no cause left 

 for complaint. 



In selecting fixtures, let durability, cheapness, and embellish- 

 ment, harmonise with your purse, and practice economy in the 

 use of gas, and you will be pleased with the transition from can- 

 dles to it, as they are known to give off peculiar compounds of 

 carbon and hydrogen, during their imperfect combustion, which 

 is prejudicial to health. 



It has often surprised me when considering these matters, that 

 gas is not used instead of tallow candles in the mines of England, 

 ■which cost two millions five hundred thousand dollars per annum. 

 In Cornwall and Devon, when I was there, thirty-one thousand 

 men were employed in the mines, below the surface of the ground, 

 .and tliey were lighted with tallow candles at an annual expense 

 ot four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 



Many suppose that their ceilings are discolored by the smoke 

 arising from impure gas, but this is a mistake, as there is no con- 

 nection of any kind between the quality of gas and deposition of 



soot. 



The smote is caused by raising the flame high enough to form 

 forked points, whicli emit it; or when lighting, the cock is opened 

 and gas permitted to escape before lighted, the puff which follows 

 this operation, carries a cloud of smoke to the ceiling, and as this 



