Protection of Persons from Fire. 117 



The metallic envelope must remain at a distance from that of the 

 amianthus. When the latter is once heated it becomes dangerous. 

 A fireman's hand was considerably burnt by carrying a red hot iron, 

 although he did not announce the accident. 



The commissioners are of opinion that the apparatus ought to re- 

 ceive some modifications in order to render the use of it prompt, safe, 

 and easy. 



The metallic armor should be rendered more flexible, and the 

 means of putting it on and off more easy. 



Other needful changes are pointed out, which it is presumed that 

 the well established and enlightened zeal of firemen will in due time 

 effect, to the benefit of science in an object which interests in a high 

 degree ihe happiness of men. 



The report commends in strong terras the zeal and benevolence 

 of the inventor, and recommends the special appropriation of a fund 

 to the furtlier perfection of the apparatus — and also a reward to the 

 first fireman, who, equipped in the new dress, shall preserve persons 

 or property from the imminent danger of a rapid conflagration. 



A new experiment on the 3d of November was still more satis- 

 factory, the firemen having acquired greater confidence in their safety. 



The fourth report, also from Gaultier de Claubby, made to 

 the Societe d'Encouragement pour I'Industrie Nationale, consists 

 chiefly of a recapitulation of the facts and experiments, which- have 

 been before detailed. 



i^n account of the firemen of Paris. 



The city of Paris has been protected against fires only since 1696. 

 In the reign of Louis XIV, thirteen engines were provided. In 

 1722 the king extended the number to thirty, and created the corps 

 of (garde-pompes,) engine keepers, which has been successively in- 

 creased. In 1811 it received a military organization, and in 1821 

 the king decreed that this corps should constitute a part of the army. 



The corps of firemen is composed of four companies of one hundred 

 and fifty four men. It supplies thirty two posts in the city and thirteen 

 theatres. Each post or station has one or more engines ; and in a very 

 short time a great number of men and engines can be collected, and a 

 fire never extends its ravages beyond the house in which it takes^. The 

 walls remain entire with their wooden partition, and it is very rare 



