1832.] On the Utility of Cess-pools in Calcutta. 103 



aperture, (which several of my servants who were close to the well de- 

 scrihed as resembling flame produced by brimstone,) and covered both 

 sides of the wall which separates the cook-room premises from those 

 of the bottlekhaneh, and crosses with an arch over the well ; it rose up 

 in a sheet of flame to the top of the wall, and glided gently towards 

 the door of the cook-room, and there vanished. 



The servants, filled with dismay, came running to me, and reported 

 what they had seen, on which I ordered a light to be introduced into 

 the aperture of the well, which being done, it was instantly blown out, 

 and a small blaze observed in the well near the aperture ; but this effect 

 did not take place on applying the light a second time. Next morning, 

 on examining the well, it was found very offensive, in consequence, 

 I believe, of my servants having contrary to my orders occasionally 

 removed the strainer, and suffered rice and filth to enter the well, which 

 was then in a state of fermentation, with rice visible on the surface. 

 On examining the strainer, it had the appearance of having been 

 scorched by fire. 



After the alarm had subsided, a chokidar came forward, and stated 

 that about fifteen nights previous to the event, he was on watch at the 

 door of the bottlekhaneh at about mid-night, when he was alarmed by 

 a similar appearance, which he did not mention, fearing he should not 

 be believed. 



I have since procured five pounds of chloride of lime, and mixed it 

 with ten gallons of water, and poured the mixture into the well, which 

 has nearly taken away every particle of offensive smell, and the well is 

 now used as a receptacle for the refuse water of the bottlekhaneh. 



A cess-pool in the yard of a very respectable coach building esta- 

 blishment in the town, seems to have shewn nearly similar pheno- 

 mena to those reported of the cook-room cess-pool at Bythakkhaneh. 



It is of considerable depth, built in the form of a well, and continued 

 about 5 feet above the surface of the ground. One day a candle 

 was let down, to see what effect the foul air would have on the flame, 

 and whether it would continue to burn : it reached about 3 or 4 feet, be- 

 fore there was any perceptible change in the light ; it was then with a 

 sort of flash surrounded with a blue flame about a foot in diameter, but 

 this rapidly diminished till it disappeared altogether. The candle was 

 now gradually lowered, and as it descended it burned more and more 

 feebly, and had it not been drawn rapidly up it would have been quite 

 extinguished. As the candle was drawn nearer the mouth of the cess- 

 pool, it again revived and burned perfectly bright, about 4 feet from 

 the top. 



