t 879*J Notices of Books. 753 
because the make is small — only about 8000 tons per annum — 
and is in very few hands.” The supply being so limited it may 
perhaps be deemed singular that, in addition to its more legiti- 
nate uses, arsenic should crop up as it does in “ violet powder,” 
md even in French chalk, as has recently happened with tragic 
iesult. Such being the case we trust that the authors are mis- 
taken when they say “ there is reason to believe that it (the 
manufacture of arsenious acid) has yet to see its best days both 
in this country and on the Continent.” On the contrary, it 
seems to us that, in deference to public opinion, very stringent 
•egulations will be adopted at home and abroad concerning the 
ndustrial use of arsenical compounds. 
In the notice of asphalte, as applied to road-making purposes, 
ve find another interesting case, showing how industrial opera- 
tons are often frustrated by the operations of speculators. “As 
oten happens to new industrial schemes carried on on so gigan- 
tic a scale, it fell into the hands of speculators whose main 
ofc'eCt was not the successful working of the mine,” but gambling 
inshares. “ A ring was formed, which in a few months raised 
th price of the shares from 500 to 13,000 francs. This did not 
las:, and in a short time the 13,000 franc shares were being 
offred at 25 francs each. Asphalte, however, was destined to 
ovrcome these difficulties, and, though it remained some time 
in :he hands of speculators, it eventually took its proper place 
as n important and profitable industry.” 
Inder the sedtion on hydrochloric acid we find a somewhat 
elabrate notice of the noxious vapours question, including the 
chid provisions of the Supplementary Alkali Adt of 1874 
(37 n( i 38 VidL, cap. 43) and the somewhat formidable “ recom- 
meriations ” of the Commission which has recently completed 
its lbours. The definition of the term “ noxious gas,” in the 
abo^e-mentioned statute, borders upon the facetious. It is made 
to iclude sulphurous acid except that arising from the combus- 
tionof coals.” This is the old — we cannot say good — rule: 
punih the small offender, and let the great sinner go free. 
Th recommendations sin by default in overlooking the rela- 
tive itness of places. One code is to be laid down for all parts 
of th kingdom. Any man who should eredt an alkali works, 
say iithe Isle of Wight or on the banks of Derwentwater, would 
encounter no more stringent regulations than if he had gone to 
work n South Lancashire, in the Black Country, or in the out- 
skirtsuf Glasgow. We would “ recommend,” on the contrary, 
the abolute prohibition, in certain districts, of all works capable 
of geerating nuisances, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, and 
in othr districts the concession of very great latitude. 
It i: of course somewhat premature to pass judgment upon 
a worlof which so small a portion only has appeared. It seems 
to us, lowever, that whilst the arrangement leaves something 
to be iesired, the matter may upon the whole be pronounced 
