Jarman on Gas Lights. 171 



it CQst me for candles before; but I have an unvarying and 

 brilliant light in every room, without any trouble but the 

 turning of a key. All the offices and shops (or stores) in 

 Bristol, of any respectability, purchase the light in the same 

 way, and from hence the profits arise. It is intended, how- 

 ever, to sell the gas by measure ; as some abuses have crept 

 in by individuals burning the gas longer than they contract 

 for : a Gas-Meter has been invented, which, placed at the 

 entrance into the house, ascertains the quantity of gas used. 

 It is a box containing a wheel, which revolves more or less 

 in proportion to the gas driven through it, and when it iias 

 made a certain number of revolutions, moves an index, 

 which ascertains the number ; and is so constructed that it 

 cannot be altered to deceive the proprietors. Most of the 

 churches, and other public buildings, take the light at vari- 

 ous prices, proportioned to the time in which they use it ; 

 and the streets through which it already passes, are as light 

 throughout the night, as in broad day. The Gasometer and 

 other works are near the entrance into the city. I need 

 not describe them to you, as you so perfectly understand 

 them, and gave so accurate a description of them this 

 morning as surprised me ; you having only seen the very 

 limited, commencement of the gas works in London, when 

 you were there.* I had the honor of being Chairman of 

 the committee appointed by the Company for conducting 

 the Bill through the Houses of Lords and Commons; and 

 while I was in London had great satisfaction in seeing the 

 progress of the gas-manufactories there : all the principal 

 streets are lighted by gas — so are most of the public build- 

 ings, and particularly the theatres ; these latter have gaso- 

 meters of their own ; and the light produced is the most 

 brilliant that can be imagined ; the centre-light in Drury- 

 iane theatre, passing through an immense number of cut 

 glass lamps, arranged with great taste and elegance, resem- 

 bles the light of a mid-day sun in splendour, and is too daz- 

 zling to look on. The light thrown on the stage from the 

 orchestra is also very beautiful, and admirably managed. 

 But there is a more important use made of gas, both in 

 London, and other great cities ; Manufactories are lighted 

 with it, and carried on at a much less expense than before. 



- In 1809. 



