The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-30 00:00:00

Improvements in Artificial Light.

The eminent Professor Leibeg in one of his learned papers
dwells at considerable length on the importance that would
attach to the completion of a lamp, for domestic purposes,
which would have the brilliancy of gas without its disagree..
able qualities, viz„ smoke, heat, and noxious vapour. At
one time it was thought that object had been attained, by
the invention of the "moderator," and still later on, by
that for the consumption of parafin ; but the introduc•
tion of petroleum as an article of commerce has rendered
txther labours necessary to accomplish that which Leibeg
deeired. The illuminative properties of petroleum have
long been acknowledged, but the danger of its consumption
has tended in a very great degree to dieceurage its use.
That circumstance, however, has entirely been surmounted
in the great improvement that has just been effected by the
Messrs. Defries in the construction of a petroleum lamp.
The novelty consists in some peculiar arrangement of the
burner, by which a beautiful white light of extraordinary
brilliancy is attained; but that which is of the highest im-
portance is, that there is a perfect freedom from heat,
The lamp submitted to our inspection gave a fine clear white
Mime, which burned with such steadiness that the most
minute work could bc' effected with the greatest ease ;
another matter equally important is, that combustion
is perfect. The enterprising firm have not confined
their efforts to the production of an article simply for the
rich, but, feeling the importance of the discovery, they in-
tend to place before the public lamps suitable for every
class of person—from the owner cl a palace down to
the tenant of a cottage; therefore the material used in the
construction of the new lamp is of the most substantial
description. To effect perfect freedom from danger in the
consumption of petroleum is certainly of the utmost
portance, and the well-known standing of the firm will s/e
a sufficient guarantee that all they profess to do maybe
implicit y relied on. They have hitherto effected many
great improvements in the production of artificial light, and
their latest effort will heighten the celebrity they have
Already attained,

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day.

WESTMINSTER.

THE SLEEP OF DANGER—PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.—
William Bullock, a cabdriver, was charged with being
drunk and incapable of taking care of his horse and car-

riage.

Police constable Page, 101 13, said that at 2 o'clock this
morning he was on duty at Chelsea, when he saw the de-
fendant's horse and cab coming towards him at a round
pace. There was no driver on the box, and nobody in
charge of the horse, and only a few.yarda in front of it was
an open sewer opposite Stanley-villas. Seeing the immi-
nent danger in which the horse was placed, and not being
aware whether there might not bo somebody in the cab, he
rushed over a plank crossing the sewer and stopped the
horse in time to prevent any accident.
Mr Arnold—Where was the defendant during this die ?
Witness—lnside the cab and drunk.
Mr Arnold—Then if you had not fortunately stopped the
cab he might have been killed.

Witness—A very serious accident might have taken
place.

Mr Arnold (to defendant) —What have you to say to
this ?

Defendant—l got inside while waiting at Cremorne.
Mr Arnold—Why did you get inside ?
Defendant—l got inside just to have a sleep.
Mr Arnold—And left nobody in charge of your horse ?
You have not only seriously endangered your own life but
also that of the publio. If you got inside the cab, who was
to look after the horse ?

Defendant—lt was upon the rank when I got into the
cab.

Page—lt was a long way from Cremorna when I saw it,
and the rank had been dispersed an hour previously.
It was here stated that the bottom of the cab was found
to be broken and the cab much damaged, for which redress
was required by the proprietor.
Defendant declared that he was not drunk, and coolly
said that he could not prevent the horse running away.
The case was then adjourned for the production of further
evidence, and defendant was locked up.