184 Dr Fyfe on the Comparative Value of Oil and Coal Gas. 
quantity is made for 28s., and at Bow for 26s. Mr Peck stone 
has fixed the price at 27s. 9d., or say in whole numbers at 28s., 
and Messrs Taylor and Marlineau, the patentees for the oil-gas 
apparatus, have stated it at 26s. Allowing, then, that we take 
the lowest of these, and it is the price given by the patentees 
themselves, oil-gas is manufactured at more than triple the price 
of that of coal-gas. If this, then, at the present rate of oil, (and 
we do not suppose that it can come much higher for palm oil, 
can be got at nearly the same price), be the lowest at which oil- 
gas can be made, and if we are right in fixing its illuminating 
power, compared with coal-gas, at about two to one, it never can 
come into competition with it ; but suppose that it affords thrice 
the light, it ought, coal-gas being made at 8s., to be manufac- 
tured for 24s. ; but the price is above this, so that giving it every 
advantage with respect to illuminating power, it cannot at the 
price, at which it is stated to be made in general, compete with it. 
Suppose, however, that it is still maintained, that it possesses 
thrice the illuminating power of coal-gas, and could be manu- 
factured at about three times the price, it ought to compete with 
it ; and I conceive that this may be done in manufactories work- 
ing under the most advantageous circumstances, as is the case at 
Leith. In this establishment the manager, with a salary of 
L. 160 a year, acts as gas-manager, book-keeper, engineer, and 
secretary, which situations are in some oil-gas companies filled 
by individuals having salaries each above that of the manager 
at Leith. Were an establishment of this nature in full employ- 
ment, all the gas they could make being consumed, it may per- 
haps afford gas cheaper than that above stated, and which many, 
at least those who have a high idea of its properties, would pay 
for in preference to coal-gas. Six retorts, which the Leith Gas 
Company has at present, will make 8000 feet per day, working 
10 hours. To make these, requires 80 gallons of oil at Is. 6d., 
but say it should rise to Is. 9d., for which, should it become 
her, palm oil can be purchased, is 
L. 7 
0 
0 
Coals and Cinders, 
0 
8 
0 
Manager, 
0 
6 
0 
Men's Wages, 
0 
8 
0 
Tear and Wear (at 100 a year, a 
good allowance), 0 
6 
0 
L. 8 
8 
0 
