REMARKS ON EIGHT-HOUSES. 38T 
those cases, where two light-houses are erected 
near together, in place of one, for the sake of 
distinction, the line of their direction might not 
only be arranged, so as to mark the position of 
the most dangerous rock or shoal, as is commonly 
practised ; but such a difference might be given 
to their altitudes, as should point out the dis¬ 
tance of such rock or shoal, by the two lights ap¬ 
pearing at the same horizontal level in a fair-way 
for passing these dangers. 
Distinct as all neighbouring lights generally 
are, their peculiarities and descriptions are not 
sufficiently known to render the differences suffi¬ 
cient to prevent occasional mistakes. There is 
a defect in this part of the system, indeed, which 
is in great need of being supplied. Some of the 
Directions sold with nautical charts, contain 
an account of many of the lights ; but this 
is often imperfect, and sometimes it is altoge¬ 
ther omitted. There is, in fact, no complete de¬ 
scription of the lights to be had, though it is well 
known, that, for the want of such a description, 
many fatal accidents (arising from the mistake of 
lights) have been occasioned about the British 
coasts. To remedy this important defect, I would 
beg leave to suggest, that the different Light¬ 
house Boards of England, Scotland and Ireland, 
should publish conjunctly, to be renewed occa- 
B b 2 
