Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-07-08

las, over bis neighLors' who use the common
kind have never heard Of any accidents
from the burning of Csmphene oil in lamps,
aud II is time enough to cry il down and lie.
clare those outlawed who uss il, when, from
the occurrence Of accidents, il shall prove 10
be dangerous, and the danger such as can
not be avoided b. additional experience and
care. What the learned Professor says as to
the danger Of explosion, though rather am.
biguous, is pretty fair as far ms comprehend
It, There are many other topics introduced
which are irrelevant to the subject, as TO The
danger TO be apprchended in using the mate.
rial named us a substitute for whale oil
therefore let them pass without comment
other than to observe, that in my opinion they
are not more correct than those notice. As
lar as it regards the construction of the lamp
in use for burning preparations from spirits Of
turpeniine, whether they are Of foreign or
American invention is of little consequence; !;
every observer must be satisfied Of the vcrv
perfect adaptation 10 the purposes for which
they are intended, particularly the latest i'm.
provcmcnt, AS it relates to their safety, the
intensity of light, md the contrivance ofrais-
ing and lowering the regulating cap, or but
ton, by a screw to admit n sufficient draft Of
atmospheric air to furnish the proper proper
ton Of oxygen, to combine with the hydrogen
disongaged from the carbon, to proven;
smoke and lamp black; $50 much dreaded by
the Professor.) This ingenious contrvnncc
is effectual; we are therefore relieved from
the fear of suffocnton, smoked apartments,
smutty faces, or spotted dresses, any more
from the consumption of Camphcnc, than
whale oil. ] have h card Of many deaths, by
suffocu,ion, produced by burning small
oil lamp in close bedroom-onc occurred
not long since in Boston. | have never
heard, nor do apprchcnd similar occur
cnce from a well adjusted camphene lamp
Nor need we apprehcnd the unwIIolesome
products of the combustion of turpentine, by
the production of carbonic acid, and the con
sumption Of orygen the vital principle of al
mosphcric air-sincc the same quantity Of
artificial light, from whatever material pro-
ddced, requires The consumption of the same
quantity of oxygen from the atmospheric mir;
aud we msy in future, as heretofore, confide
in tho nicely adjusted operation of Nature
in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, to
produce n supply of every thing necessary to
the healthy continuance of vegetable and
animal life; 10 believe otherwise, is to doub,
the wisdom and power Of an ovcr-rulng
Providence, and subjcc,ing it to the feeble
efforts of man.
If there is any danger in the use Of CAM
phene OIL in lamps, it is only necessary to
ascertain, by experience, where the danger
exists to avoid it, and to produce perfect
and economical light, with as little risk OF
danger as the nature of combustion will ever
permit.
When Gunpowdcr shall be abandoned in
the art Of war, and in the chase, and other
amusements, because it is dangerous mate
rinl in tho hands of The careless and ignorant;
and steam shall be put out of use in the COM
merce and arts, in peace, or rs valuable
auxiliary in war, because fatal accidents fre.
quently occur-then, and not till then, will
The use of Camphcne oil, as n substitute for
whale OIL be abandoned. even if il be fraueht
with all the dangers cndeavored to be tastcn.
ed upon it; not admitting, however, that they
arc parallel cases-but to shew that where
there is known and actual danger, men will
take tho risk, and follow the course they
consider most to their interest; and they GER
tainly will in a case where they are accom-
moda,cd to their salsfaction,at n less expense
and without any asccrtaincd additional risk
Notwithstanding the denuncia,ions Of inter-
ested individuals. TO obviate the difficulty,
as il respects insurance, would recommend
to the consumers of Camphene, to form mmc-
diatcly Mutual Insurance Company, Tor
their own interest and benefit.
A INTERESTED SrBscnIBER.