1^0 Jarman on Gas Lights. 



Art. XXIII. — On Gas Lights. Communicated in a letter 

 to the Editor, by Thomas Jarman, Esq. of Bristoh 

 E7igla7id.* 



State-Street, JYew-Havenf 2d Jan. 1821. 



My Dear Sir, 



As you seemed to think the facts I mentioned to you this. 

 inorning, worthy of notice, I beg leave to state them in wri- 

 ting. 



The streets of the city of Bristol, in which I reside^ 

 were hghted with lamp oil till about two years ago, when a 

 few persons united in forming a company for supplying the 

 city with gas from pit-coal : I was one of that company ; and 

 we deemed it expedient to obtain an Act of Parliament for 

 the protection of our property, and recovery of the annual 

 income to be derived from the sale of our gas. In this we 

 were opposed by the Corporation of the city, and the Com- 

 missioners for paving and lighting it ; but they at length 

 withdrew their opposition, on our agreeing to light the 

 streets of the city with as many lamps as they chose at the 

 rate of £5 per lamp, per annum ; each lamp to have such a 

 burner in it as would consume a certain quantity of gas per 

 hour ; and we were to be hmited to a profit of ten per cent, 

 on our capital employed; we engaging to employ at least 

 ^50,000 in the undertaking : that sum was immediately 

 subscribed; and we accordingly sell our gas to the pubhc at 

 ^■5 per lamp per annum ; and to individuals at various pri- 

 ces, differing according to circumstances, and to the de- 

 mands made for it. To give you an instance: — I have a 

 house in the city where my professional businessf is carried 

 on, and in which i use six rooms, and an entrance hall ; the 

 gas is conveyed into each of these places by pipes from 

 the main pipe in the street; and I burn, the gas till ten 

 o'clock at night, for £25 a year : this is nearly about what 



* Inconsecjuence of his having been present at a Chemical Lecture, it> 

 (he Laboratory of Yale College, when Gas Lights were spoken of and ex-' 

 iiibited— Mr. Jarman being on a visit to this country. 



•^ That of a selicitor. 



