The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-06-11 00:00:00

THE LIVENVOOL. STANDARD.

further instructions. If that was the case, or anything,
like it, he could not see why the chairman should withhold,
the communication.

Mr. EVANS.—AIIow me to ask you when you received
that document ?

The CHAIRMAN.—On Monday.
Mr. EVANS.—Have you not had time to communicate
with the sub-committee since then ?
The CHAIRMAN.—No. There was another document
for which I had to send to London, and that only arrived
this morning.
Mr. BARCLAY did not conceive that sub-committees
were appointed to keep things secret from the general
committee. They were only appointed because a few
individuals could transact the business better than a large
number.

Mr. MOLYNEUX thought the chairman had taken the
proper course.

- -
The CHAIRMAN said he had not the least objection to
the general committee seeing the document, but it did
appear to him to be the proper course. So far he could
tell them that it did not approve of the plan on the other
side of the water.
Mr. EVANS said the course they took was to throw
over that board altogether, and let events go on until its
interference was useless.
The CHAlRMAN.—Considering it to be my duty, I shall
adopt the course until the committee overt ule me.
Mr. RIPLEY felt as Mr. Evans did. He thought they
ought to see the document. He understood the chairman
to say that the Wallasey Docks were not approved, but he
(Mr. Ripley) understood that the second document did
approve of the plan.
Mr. RIPLEY, seconded by Mr. EVANS, then moved for
the production of the document.

The CHAIRMAN said he was going to ask the Parlia-
mentary Committee to meet that day, after the general
meeting. In many instances they would be exposing their
own secrets if documents relating to parliamentary pro-
ceedings were not kept secret.
Mr. EVAN s.—But the document is actually out of doors.
I never saw things carried with such a high hand as they
have been within the last twelve months.

The CHAIRMAN.—I should be sorry to merit that, be
cause I wish to do otherwise.

The votes were then taken, when there appeared for
the production of the document 5, against it 10, namely :
For—Messrs. Ripley, Holt, Aikin, Barclay, and Evans.
Against—Messrs. Middleton, Kendall, Chilton, Bold,
Smith, Royden, Molyneux, Shand, Holmes, and the
Chairman.

The Committee then proceeded to financial matters.

FRIDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.-THE BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.

A special meeting of the committee was held on Friday.
for the purpose of taking into consideration the chairman's
letter on behalf of the Committee to the Lords Conservators
of the river Mersey; together with the digest of (or state-
ment on) the parliamentary evidence, as drawn up by
Captain Evans, the acting conservator. All the members
of the board were present with the exception of Messrs.
Royden and Moon.
The CHAIRMAN opened by stating that the documents
had been submitted to the parliamentary sub-committee,
who, being of opinion that there was nothing in them pre-
judicial to the interests of the Dock Estate, had requested
him to lay them before the general committee. The sub-
committee, he added, were further of opinion that the
course he had pursued on the previous day was the correct
one, as they considered that documents connected with
proceedings in parliament should be laid before them
in the first instance that they might keep them back, or
make them public, as might appear most prudent. He
explained that he could not call the sub-committee sooner
together, as one of the documents did not come to hand
until Monday, and the other he had only received the
previous day (Thursday.) He offered no opinion on the
documents, except to say that Captain Evans's report
went into a great deal of matter totally irrelevant to the
subject, and was not what the admiralty had asked him
for, as instead of a digest of the evidence, it was the mere
opinion of Captain Evans himself. The memorial to which
it was a reply (and which would now be read) had been
drawn up under the best advice, and was in accordance
with the opinion of the council.

The SECRETARY then read the memorial to the Lords
Conservators of the. River, and which was signed by Mr.
Bramley-Moore. It set forth that a bill was then pending
in parliament for the construction of certain tidal basins
and other works at Birkenhead, on the site of the creek
called Wallasey Pool, and which involved the damming up
of the pool itself, as well as the reclaiming 0f.120 acres at
the mouth of the pit; that the Dock Trustees opposed it
on public consideration only, and did not oppose the con-
struction of docks and other works at Wallasey Pool,
provided they are so planned as not to injure or endanger
the navigation of the port; that they had consulted emi-
nent engineers, and were advised by them that it was likely
to be injurious to the navigation of the river, and especi-
ally to the sea channels of the port, inasmuch as the eb-
bing waters were now barely sufficient to keep those chan-
nels open, and the present scheme would greatly reduce
the volume of such waters; that it had been alleged that
their lordships approved of the scheme, and had sanc-
tioned it, and that the promoters of the measure urged
that such sanction ought to be conclusive ; that the Dock
Trustees were informed that it had been stated to their
lordships that although the proposed works would dimi-
nish the quantity of water, yet that that might be compen-
sated for by reserving a certain quantity and discharging
it at a later period of the tide, when it would be more
effectual for scouring the channels ; that the dock trus-
tees have taken every means to test this assertion, and
that experienced engineers were of opinion that the mode
proposed of compensating for the water abstracted would
be altogether unavailing ; and, under these circumstances,
the Dock Trustees " earnestly request their lordships to
cause an inquiry to be instituted in such manner as may
be deemed expedient, as to the probable effects of these
works upon the sea channels of the port, and that the opi-
nion of the most eminent engineers and of other persons
distinguished in science, may be ascertained before your
lordships' final sanction and approval is given." The me-
morial, in conclusion, stated that other objections existed
as to the impracticability and injurious tendency of the
proposed works.
Mr. EVANS wished to know who the eminent engineers
alluded to were?
The CHAIRMAN said there was a long list of them—
nine of the most eminent men. In reply to other ques-
tions, he admitted there was certainly a difference of
had
it opi-
nion amongst them on some points. Mr. Walker
procure been examined. He had not yet been able to
The SECRETARY then read the reply to the Chairman's
communrca • tion which was signed by Capt. Evans, dated
Londonto theexa
examined
ds
evidenceshortly.p ra
printed copy of the evidence, but expected
given before a committee of the House of Commons, in
stated that had
2 Thet
writer May,
and
ate
order to ascertain if the objections to the proposed works,
Conser-
vators. 4
stated in a letter of Mr. Bramley-Moore to their lord-
ships, were sustained by eminent civil engineers, and that
after a careful perusal of the evidence pro and con, he
found it of such a conflicting nature that he should best
meet their lordships' views by a simple statement of the
facts of the case, leaving their lordships to draw their own
conclusions. The objections of the Trustees of the Li-
verpool docks appeared to him to be as follow, viz., that
if the proposed works at Wallasey Pool be carried into
effect, the abstraction of the water contained in the pool
will, to a serious degree, endanger the navigation of the
river Mersey, but most particularly the sea channels of
the port. He thought Mr. Moore's objection easily dis-
posed of on the known principles of tidal action in estua-
ries. The river wall to be constructed across 'Wallasey
Pool would not contract or narrow the volume of water
entering the estuary, as Seacombe point extended further
into the river than the proposed wall. The tidal wave
entering the narrows at Seacombe would, if confined by
this wall, increase in velocity, and tend to keep the chan-
nels above and below Liverpool clearer of deposit than
they were at present. He did not think that in approving
of the plan their lordships looked for compensation for the
water extracted from the pool, to any quantity that might
be sluiced out, as that would be barely sufficient to carry
away the silt with which it would be charged; but that
their lordships were guided by the motives that influenced
them in favour of the Liverpool Dock Bill—that the river
wall would in both cases compensate for the displacement
of the tidal water, by giving a more direct course or greater
velocity to the tide, and thus improving the navigation of
the river. It was well known that a tidal wave, if confi-
ned in its progress through an estuary, would increase in
velocity, and rise in proportion as the space it previously
occupied was to the space into which it which it might be
foreed. Of this the Severn and the Bay of Fundy afforded
practical proofs. (He here gives statistics in demonstra-
tion.) He was quite certain that the increased velocity
obtained by walling in Wallasey Pool would compensate
for the loss of water which the erection of docks on both
sides the river would occasion. The channels into Liver-
pool were now better than in ancient times, notwithstand-
iactyNairrtaisllaosfeytiddaalmwmaetderuv,p'e.reTdhisepleanceadin,etehre
entrance to the river considerably contracted, and a pool
s
ing that in the construction of the Liverpool docks ten
msimilliiloanrstooftchuabt
of those days said that if they made such encroachments
on the river the port of Liverpool would be ruined. For-
tunately the Corporation took a different
view of the case,
and experience has shown that the river wall, by giving
navigation
of velocity to the tide, has improved the i
of the Mersey. He considered the objection in evidence
to the refuge basin for coasters to be well founded, and
attributed this to the alteration from the original plan he
had submitted. (He here points out the evils of the de-
viation, and states that the proposed basin is too small for
the numerous coasters that now take refuge on the banks
at the entrance of the pool.) He proposed that a similar
basin should be constructed on the south side of the
Woodside Ferry pier. An objection made to the altera-
tion in the line of river-wall between Seacombe and
Woodside was also, in his opinion, well founded. In the
original plan the wall ran in a straight line from Seacombe
to Woodside, across the orifice of the pool. He objected
to a projection in the centre at the north end of the tidal
basin, which would check the tide, diminish its velocity,
and tend to silt up the basin. He would recommend their
lordships not to allow any alteration from the original
straight line of wall. A great portion of the evidence re-
lated to the novel plan of Mr. Rendel, the engineer of the
works for scouring the tidal basin, by keeping up such a
state of agitation as would not allow the sediment to sub-
side. The plan had not been tried, and might fail, When
dredging must be resorted to, the matter not to be cast in-
to the river. The effect of the water to be sluiced into
the river by this novel plan would be of very little use as
a scour, as it would be so charged with silt as to neutralize
the effect, as occurred in scouring out the tidal basins in
Liverpool. It was stated by some of the engineers that
projections on the Cheshire side would cause a deposit in
front of the Liverpool Docks, but from the straight course
of the river in that part of it, the projections would cause
a deposit on the side on which they were. The engineers
themselves proved this, for they stated that the Plucking-
ton Bank, on the Liverpool side, is occasioned by the pro-
jection of the Knott's Hole Rocks on the same side ; and
Captain Fitzroy expressed the same opirion. Mr. Walker,
engineer, stated that the proposed tidal basin at Wallasey

Pool might be constructed without continuing the river
wall across the whole orifice of the pool—leaving a portion
open, as at present, for coasters ' • but were his plan to be
adopted, the benefit to be derived from a continuous river
wall would be lust, and silting would take place at both
aides of the projection. The writer concludes as follows :
"'Mr. Walker states, and every engineer agrees on this
subject; that there is no place in Liverpool where docks
could be made without abstracting water; and Mr. Page's
late experiments on the set of the tides, which I myself
witnessed, prove that it is the water on the Liverpool side
that passes through the Victoria Channel, all his floats
from Wallasey Pbol having passed out of the Rock Channel
or over the banks. These facts are very material, as it
appears that independent of the beneficial effects, as al-
ready described, attending a continuous river wall along
the front of Wallasey Pool, it will prevent any further
displacement of water ever taking place, should the neces-
sity of commerce require dock extension at Birkenhead,
as all docks hereafter made at that place will add to the
water space, for they must be made within the line of the
river wall, where there is ample room and the ground pe-
culiarly adapted for such purposes. In conclusion, I beg
to inform your lordships that I see nothing in the evi-
dence to induce me to alter the opinion I gave on a former
occasion to your lordships, respecting both the Liverpool
and Birkenhead Dock B Ils, as I feel convinced, if they be
constructed according to the plans originally approved of
by your lordships, the works will improve the navigation
of the river, particularly as I understand the promoters of
the Birkenhead Docks have not only inserted a clause in
their bill, preventing any person throwing into the river
Mersey any of the silt dredged out of their docks and
basins, but have also expressed their willingness to accept
of the silt the Liverpool Dock Trustees may send them,
and dispose of it in the rear of their river wall, thus set-
tling the difficult question respecting the dock mud."
A conversation here ensued, in which, in reply to Mr.
Ripley and Mr. Evans, who thought the report not un-
favourable to docks on the other side,
The CHAIRMAN said that the original plan had been
altered entirely; that the line of wall had been thrown
back (in the plan now before the Lords) 450 feet, and
that Capt. Evans disapproved of that plan, and recom-
mended their lordships to fall back upon the original
plan.
Mr. EVANS said this was only a preference, not an
opnosition.
_ _ _

The CHAIRMAN said the report was merely Captain
Evans's opinion, which they had nothing to do with.
They had the evidence of eight or nine of the first engi-
neers, not one of whom Captain Evans had ventured to
quote.
__

Mr. NecoL said the opinions of the Lords Conserva-
tors were still as open as ever upon the subject. They
had called on Captain Evans to report upon the' evidence
in reply to Mr. Moore's letter; but his communication
was no answer to Mr. Moore, nor was it intended to be
an answer. The Lords Conservators were most anxious
to hear further evidence, as they were not yet convinced.
The conflicting evidence alluded to by Capt. Evans was
of little moment. As to Mr. Rendall's plan of scouring,
it was by no means novel, and had failed at Cardiff and
elsewhere.

Mr. RIPLEY attached much importance to Captain
Evans's opinion, and should like to see the evidence of
the Marine Surveyor and Mr. Hartley. He believed the
Marine Surveyor was of opinion that the Wallasey Docks
would not injure the navigation.
Mr. EVANS said that unless he saw the evidence of
Mr. Walker and the other engineers, he would not take
it for granted that they were altogether opposed to the
project. It was admitted that they had not given unqua-
lified evidence against it.
Mr. MOLY NEUX said they differed on the main points.
Mr. NICOL said they all agreed that the damming up
of Wallasey Pool would produce an important effect on
the sea transit of the river. Mr. Rendall and Mr. Cubitt,
as he had said before, were in favour of the project; but
all the others, without exception, spoke of the effect, and
he believed they were all adverse to it. Mr. Walker, in
particular, said the subject was one which required very
great consideration.
Mr. EVANS said that• his namesake, in giving his opi-
nion, had had all the advantage to be derived from the
various engineers ; and he had never read a report which
was more clear and conclusive. _

Mr. Atictx said the principal question was whether a
continuous river-wall, from Seacombe Point to Woodside
Ferry, would be injurious or not. Now if he (Mr.Aikin)
understood Captain Evans aright, he was of opinion that
the building a wall across Wallasey Pool and along the
Cheshire side of the river would be as beneficial to the
navigation as the building the wall along the Lancashire
side had been. He was not quite sure, but he thought,
that long before either he or the chairman had anything
to do with the borough, plans had been deposited at the
Board of Admiralty, and a scheme propounded to carry a
sea-wall all along both sides of the river ; and that these
plans had been approved of by Mr. Walker many years
ago. If that were so, and it should turn out as be anti-
cipated, that the Admiralty had approved of them also,
he (Mr.Aikin) was of opinion they would be as fruitlessly
expending the money of the Dock Estate in opposing the
bill in the House of Lords as they had in the Commons.
Captain Evans's report contained the very pith and mar-
row of the evidence ' • and his opinion was more likely to
weigh with the Lords Conservators than the opinion of
any of the members of the general board.

Mr. EVANS said it was the opinion of engineers twenty
years ago, that the doing away with indentures on both
shores would be highly desirable.
Mr. AIKIN, seeing the evidence of such a conflicting
nature, moved—" That the evidence, as given before the
parliamentary committee, be submitted to the general
board, and that further opposition to the Wallasey Dock
Bill be not proceeded with until the sub-committee again
receive the sanction of the general board."
Mr. EVANS seconded the motion.

Mr. Nicol. thought it their bounden duty to bring be-
fore parliament, in every possible shape, their objections
to the proposed works ; and if, after the evidence was
exhausted, the Lords Conservators sanctioned them, on
their own heads be it.
Mr. AIKIN said he should persevere with his motion,
believing it was high time for them to consider how they
could check the useless expenditure of thousands of
pounds.
Mr. MOLYNEUX moved, as an amendment to Mr.
Aikin's motion,—" That this board, having full confi-
dence in the judgment and discretion of the Parliamentary
Sub-committee, request them to continue to watch the
proceedings in parliament relative to the Birkenhead
Dock Bill, and to take such measures as may be consi-
dered necessary to prevent any injury being done thereby
to the navigation of the river."
Mr. TOBIN seconded the amendment.
The Chairman then took the votes, when there ap-
peared— . _ _

For the amendment—Messrs. Nicol, Middleton, Smith,
Chilton, Molyneux, Trotman, Holmes, Tobin, Sandbach,
Bold, Shand, and the Chairman.

Against it—Messrs. Barclay, bolt, Aikin, Evans,Rip-
ley,and Bulley.

The amendment was therefore declared to be carried,
and the committee adjourned.

LIVERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

On Tuesday, the 14th ult., Mr. D. Waldie delivered
the second part of a communication on Flame and its prac-
tical relation to Light, Heat, and Smoke, with special
relation to the Combustion of Coal, of which the follow-
ing is a brief abstract :
He commenced by a brief recapitulation of the first part
of the communication delivered at the previous monthly
meeting. Combustion was defined to be an act of chemi-
cal combination of such intensity as to be productive of
heat and light, and flame was such a process taking place
between two bodies both in the gaseous state. Two sub-
stances of opposite chemical affinities were necessary to
this process ; and though one class were usually called
combustibles, and another, such as air or oxygen. sup-
porters of combustion, there was no real distinction be-
tween the two, the difference being only circumstantial,
both being alike combustibles, and each a supporter of
the combustion of the other.

In gaseous combustion, combination always takes place
between definite proportions of the two substances, and
may be affected either between the two gases previously
mixed, or during the spontaneous mixture which takes
place when one gas flows into another. In the latter case,
the various circumstances of density, combining propor-
tion and composition of the two gases, influence the form,
size, and appearance of the flame.
Light gases, which possess great diffusibility or tendency
to spread through others, form large flames when they
burn in an atmosphere of heavier gas, and vice versa.
Again, when one gas requires a much larger volume than
its own of another to combine with it, when the former
flows into an atmosphere of the latter, it forms a large
flame, requiring to spread far through it ; when the cir-
cumstances are reversed, a small flame is the result.

In such cases, when simple gases are employed, or even
some compound ones, the flame consists of three parts :-
Ist. A dark central portion, where the issuing gas is un-
mixed with the other, and no combustion takes place ;
2d. The proper burning mixture of the two gases, forming
a shell of some shade of blue, where the greatest heat is
found ; and, 3d. An external shell of a yellowish colour,
generally consisting of the products of combustion. These
are simple flames, and yield light sufficient only to render
themselves visible.

Compound flames are those in which solid particles are
separated during the process, and have the same parts and
structure, with some additions. The most usual exam-
ples of them are hydrocarbons or carburetted hydrogen
gases, such as coal gas. The additional parts are a thin
shell of blue flame at the bottom and coolest part of the
flame, where the gas is not decomposed; while in the
upper part of the flame it suffers decomposition a large
quantity of carbon is separated and raised to a state of
vivid ignition in the form of solid particles, constituting
the white luminous part of the flame.
The mixture of incombustible gases affects the size and
appearance of flames. Hydrogen in coal gas burn with
a larger flame in air than in pure oxygen, because they
require to spread further through air in order to meet with
a sufficient supply of oxygen to combine with. Different
incombustible gases vary in their injurious influence on
flame—the heaviest being the worst, probably from its
light gases spreading through them to a greater extent,
and thus cooling the flame to a greater degree.
Flame was then considered in its practical relations to
heat and light. For the attainment of these results in
their greatest perfection, the principal points to be at-
tended to are, to secure perfect combustion by effecting
mixture of the two gases in their proper combining pro-
portions, to avoid all sources of loss of heat, and for
light, to separate as much as possible of the carbon in the
solid form compatible with perfect and sufficiently intense
combustion. Various modes of effecting these objects
were adverted to.
Smoke is the term given to the products of combustion
of gaseoas matter, where they contain visible solid or
liquid particles ; in ordinary cases this consists of carbon,
and is produced by imperfect combustion, gaseous and

solid matter escaping combination with the oxygen of the
air. This may be caused in two ways—first, by the with-
drawal of heat from the flame with such rapidity that it
is cooled, and the combustion checked and rendered im-
perfect, second, by an insufficient supply of the oxygen of
the air either from too limited supply of air, or by the
issue of the gas in so large a volume that the force of
diffusion cannot effect with sufficient rapidity a mixture
with the proper quantity of air for perfect combustion.
The second cause in both its forms is that which .produces
smoke in close furnaces in which coal is burnt.
Coal is a compound of carbon and hydrogen, with
smaller proportions of cxvgen, nitrogen, and incombus-
tible earthy substances. There are many varieties prin-
cipally interesting, in respect to the proportion of carbon
they contain, some leaving about 96 per cent. of fixed
matter when ignited in close vessels, others only about 44
per cent. For the present purpose it will be most useful
to consider only the truly combustible portion of ordinary
splint or caking coal, as composed of about 100 carbon
and 51 hydrogen, or of 79 carbon and 21 carbonetted
hydrogen.
When coal is heated in close vessels it gives off various
productsin thestate of gas or vapour, composed ofcarbonand
hydrogen in various proportions, but the general result of
which may be taken as equivalent to carbonated hydrogen
gas. These burn in the form of flame, while the remain-
ing carbon burns in the solid form as coke, and 79 parts
of carbon compared with 21 parts of carboneted hydro-
gen require about two and a half times as much oxygen
for perfect combustion. But in considering the subject
economically, if we suppose the whole of the beat from
the combustion of the gases to be economically applied, it
is necessary to deduct from the combustion of the coke
that proportion which is necessary for the expulsion of the
gaseous matter, and so lost as to its economical applica-
tion. This may be estimated at one-fourth of the coke,
so that while the oxygen consumed by the coke is about
two and a half times as much as that consumed by the
eases and the heat produced proportional, the quantity of
heat available for economical purposes, is somewhat less
than twice as much.

When coal burns the gaseous matter is emitted from
the cracks and crevices which are produced by heat upon
the coal, which produce flames of considerable diameter.
presenting an impediment to the due mixture with a suf-
ficient quantity of air. In a common steam boiler furnace
the quantity of gaseous matter produced en new firing is
very great, while the supply of air is deficient, and its
proper mixture too slow, the consequence is imperfect
combustion and the production of smoke. As the com-
bustion proceeds the quantity of gases evolved diminishes,
and the combustion is more perfect. The proper object
should be to make the combustion as perfect as possible
during the whole time.
The object directly looked to is to remove or prevent
black smoke, and for this purpose there are a great num-
ber of plans patented or otherwise. Ist. Washing the
gaseous products of combustion by a shower of water in
flues constructed for the purpose, an effectual method,
but not conveniently applicable in most circumstances,
and not improving the combustion. 2d. Passing the first
products of combustion through or over incandescent coke
already deprived of its gaseous constituents, and effected in
various ways—by simple management in the feeding of
the furnace, by peculiar arrangements, such as two sets of
bars, one fixed and the other moveable, coking boxes, dead
plates or ovens, divided furnace, with alternate feeding,
&c. By such plans, the smoke in passing through the
incandescent coke is deprived of its solid particles of
carbon by their combining with carbonic acid arising from
the burning coke, to form gaseous invisible carbonic oxide,
or should free oxigen be present, the particles of carbon
may be burnt, that is converted into carbonic acid. Upon
the presence and action of oxigen depends entirely the
economical worth of this plan, as the formation of car-
bonic oxide is productive only of loss of heat. 3d. Con-
stant and gradual feeding of the fire by mechanical feeders,
or revolving grates or bars ; the worth of this plan is de-
pendant on the perfectness of the combustion, from a suffi-
cient supply and proper mixture of air, as unless this is
the case, the smoke may be rather diffused more uni-
formly over the lime than destroyed ; besides, the machi-
nery is expensive and troublesome, and only adapted for
producing a regular and uniform supply of steam, which
is frequently not all that is desirable. 4th. Admission of
air, besides that by the fire-bars, to burn the gases—the
most correct in theory. Parkes's split bridge is one of
the earliest of such plans, but requires careful manage-
ment, as the admission of such a large body of cold air
is apt to check the combustion of the gases by its cool-
ing effect. To remedy this the air ha 3 been heated ; but
when this is effected by the same furnace, it is robbed of
its heat, and the gain consequently more or less neutra-
lised; besides, heated air brings in the same volume a
smaller absolute quantity of ogygen, and moreover, in
some of these plans it is questionable whether the air is
in reality heated to any considerable degree. Another
modification is the admission of the air by numerous
small apertures over a considerable surface, so as to effect
the mixture of the air and gases without cooling them too
much, an arrangement simple, cheap, and of easy manage-
ment. sth. Minor arrangements, such as very narrow
fire-bars, undulating grates, check bridges—some of these
are useful as subsidiary. 6th. Admission of a jet of
steam : this has been found to do well, but it is accompa-
nied also with the admission of air, and the jet of steam is
supposed merely to increase the draught, otherwise it is not
well understood.

The essential principle is the admission of a sufficient
and not excessive supply of air, and its proper mixture
with the gases, which in practice is somewhat difficult to
effect. It seems very doubtful whether complete com-
bustion can be effected ; probably from the large quan-
tity of incombustible gases present it is impossible ; the
real object is to effect it as perfectly as possible. When
done on proper principles, the consumption of smoke is
attended with a saving of fuel, as the solid particles in
smoke are just so much carbon lost. This is not only a
deduction from established chemical principles, but the
result of practical observation in the very causes under
consideration.

Mr. Waldie concluded by expressing his opinion of the
necessity for some legislative enactment for the removal
of so grievous a nuisance, and stated his intention of pro-
secuting the subject still further if in his power, with the
view of elucidating more accurately several points con-
nected with the subject.