164 TlMEHRI. 
candle, even the poorest house has a brilliant and in- 
expensive light ; and although there is danger in the use 
of an impure oil, as many in this Colony have learned to 
their cost, properly refined oil is comparatively safe, and 
improved forms of lamps will probably render it entirely 
so. The introduction of coal gas was a marked advance 
on the lighting of our streets by the old oil lamp blinking 
from the top of a post or slung across a cord, as in Paris, 
in the old Revolutionary times, when the cry of a la 
lanterne referred to the ready means which the lamp 
rope afforded of getting rid of a political opponent. In 
like manner we advanced from the old flint and steel, (and 
some present may remember how one used to chip one's 
fingers in attempts to knock a light out of the obdurate 
flint) to the congreve that had to be wiped between folded 
sand paper and thence to the modern lucifer or friction 
matches which are made in such huge quantities. 
In the application of chemical science the century has 
been most fertile, and the most profitable instances are 
perhaps those in which there have been produced from 
waste and refuse, substances of great value. Amongst 
such refuse Coal Tar holds a prominent place. From 
this not over nice substance many useful disinfectants 
such as Carbolic Acid and its potent if malodorous allies 
are obtained. Of Coal Tar products the Society pos 
sesses an interesting collection presented by Mr. Field. 
Besides these, perfumes which are the delight of dainty 
dames are extracted from this repulsive source, as well as 
many of those flavours which to unsophisticated childhood 
form the chief charm of cheap lollipops. With one Coal 
tar or pitch product you can dye your stockings, and 
with another blow up your enemy. Again, a certain 
