378 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
One of the troubles of modern life would be modified, for by the 
abolition of the present fireplace, and avoidance of consequent dirt, 
one servant will be able to do where two are now required, or 
certainly two where three are necessary. The town having an 
interest in the success of the gas-works, instead of sending to 
Caithness, in Scotland, for flags to pave its streets, would use up 
pitch and tar freely for making even better roads than the stone 
now used. 
The free use of artificial asphalte for building purposes would 
greatly improve the sanitary condition of the town; and we might 
fairly hope, by beautifying our much-loved old Plymouth, to make 
it a pattern town. 
We want means of profitably investing and utilizing capital. 
Here we have it; and we only want a small share of the faith and 
energy so splendidly displayed in the histories of the pioneers of 
the gas, paraffine, and petroleum interests, of a Murdoch and of a 
Young, to ensure the successful issue that I have endeavoured to 
suggest. 
