96 DE. EDWARD SCHTTNCK. MEMOIR 



tionSj and on tlie " Measurement of the Actinism of the 

 Sun^s Rays and of Daylight ^^ (Proceedings, Royal Society, 

 XXX. p. 355), in which a novel method of measurement is 

 described. His study of peat, which treated of a favourite 

 subject of his, was perhaps more practical than scientific 

 in character. Those who take an interest in the subject 

 of the formation and utilization of peat should refer to 

 his papers relating to it, published in the Society's 

 Memoirs. 



This is perhaps not the place to mention in detail his 

 work in connection with technical subjects, but one of his 

 inventions must not be passed over in silence, viz. that for 

 coating iron tubes with an impermeable varnish, so as to 

 preserve them from corrosion. Of this invention experts 

 entertain the very highest opinion, and it may safely be 

 said that had be been endowed with more worldly pru- 

 dence, he might by this invention alone have amassed 

 a considerable fortune. Like many other inventors he 

 never enjoyed the rewards to which his ingenuity entitled 

 him. It is for the world to acknowledge, by words at 

 least, the benefits he conferred on it ; for those who are 

 unable or unwilling to fight and struggle for wealth and 

 position it has no other recompense to offer. 



In the year 1864 Dr. Smith was appointed chief 

 inspector under the Alkali Act, which had just previously 

 been passed by the legislature, a post for which he was, 

 from his intimate knowledge of atmospheric contamination, 

 eminently fitted. Great complaints having arisen regard- 

 ing the injury done to crops and other things by the 

 emanations from alkali-works, an Act was passed, the 

 object of which was to limit the amount of injurious gases, 

 especially hydrochloric acid, which should be allowed to 

 escape from the flues of alkali-works. 



It was this Act, the provisions of which Dr. Smith, with 



