68 



that's it; 



DOMESTIC ILLUMINATION— GAS. 



Ik barbarous conditions of man, j 

 the flame of a fire is the only 

 artificial light known. The sun 

 disappears, and, after a brief dura- 

 tion of twilight, plains and forests, 

 hills and valleys, are wrapt in 

 impenetrable darkness. Wild 

 beasts begin to prowl in search of 

 prey ; their howlings and cries 

 in the woods warn the savage, or 

 the explorer of untrodden lands, 

 that it is time to kindle night- 

 fires to scare them away. How 

 fortunate that all creatures, save 

 man, dread the appearance of this 

 powerful element : to him alone 

 who can control its destroying 

 agency has familiarity with it 

 been conceded! 



In the earliest times, while 

 watching their fires,* men noticed 



that particular 



wood 



