98 Protection of Fersons from Fire. 



rebuilt by the insurers, for the benefit of his heirs, after this same 

 house shall have become his tomb !" 



Flumane societies have been formed in numerous places for the 

 restoration of persons from drowning and suffocation, and premiums 

 have been awarded to those who have in such cases adventured bold- 

 ly in defence of life, but how much more complete would be the sat- 

 isfaction, if to the means of recovery used on those occasions could 

 be added a nev*' and more effectual safeguard against death by fire. 

 With this humane object in view, the author has declined any recourse 

 to the privileges of a patent, but cherishes the hope that his expedi- 

 ents will be approved and adopted by all enlightened nations. 



The corps of firemen in France, (sapeurs-pompiers,) by the mili- 

 tary precision of its organization and discipline, has furnished a model 

 for that of Milan, Naples, Florence, Bologna and Pavia. At Rome 

 they preserve the ancient name of Vigils, given to this corps by 

 Augustus, who in the year 759 of the foundation of Rome, not satis- 

 fies! with the nocturnal triumvirs, whose principal duty from the time 

 of the Republic had been to watch over conflagrations, created a co- 

 hort especially destined to arrest the ravages of fire. 



It gives us much satisfaction to find, by the appendices to the volume, 

 which contain several reports, from committees of learned societies, 

 on the inventions of Chev. Aldini, as well as by direct information from 

 our correspondents, that he has received flattering testimonials of ap- 

 probation from various quarters ; among which may be mentioned 

 gold medals from the Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce 

 of London, from the government of Milan, and from the court of 

 Rome ; and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who has taken a particu- 

 lar interest in these discoveries, presented the author with a rich snuff 

 box of gold, with his cipher set in brilliants. But the most substan- 

 tial acknowledgment is from the Royal Institute of France, which 

 decreed to him, on the 30th of May last, the Monthyon prize of 

 eight thousand francs. 



Our author divides his book into twelve chapters. Tliese w^e shall 

 lake up seriatim, and give an abstract of all their most useful contents. 



Chap. I. is on the use of maiUe or mesh-ivork, of metallic gauze^ 

 and. of substances which are non-condx(cto.rs of electricity. 



The author cites various experiments demonstrative of that prop- 

 erty of metallic gauze, discovered by Sir H. Davy, which causes it 

 to resist the passage of heat and preserve from combustion the most 



