Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-08
The Use of Gas for Light,

The first account Cf the manufacture of gas from
coal is contained in letter addressed by the Rev.
John Clayton, of England, TO the Hon. Robert Boyle
to be found in the Philosophical Transactions for the
year 1898. Mr. Murdoch, Scotch engineer, con-
ceived the idea of applying the discovery of Mr.
Clayton to the purposes of illumination. With this
view he commenced series of experiments IN 1892
gases obtained from COAL wood and peat, by heat,
and in this manner succeeded in lighting his own
house.
Bolton and Watt employ ed Mr.. Murdoch in 1898
to construct apparatus to light up their manufac
tory, near Birmingham. With the exception, how
ever, of Il few scientific persons, who were attracted
by Its novelty, the subject of gas light as applied to
dwellings, did not make much progress for several
years after Bolton and Watt had tested lis ability TO
light their manufactoy. In demonstration of their
JOY at the peace of Amiens, these gentlemen Illumi
mated their establishment with light so brilliant,
and SO much superior to those observed elsew here,
that the whole town attracted thither and gazed
upon it with wonder and admiration. The news
papers of the day were full of this exploit, easy
modes of making it were described, and at every
fire side tobacco pipes were called into requisiton
for the purpose of distling IN their bowls an artif-
cal light.
| "A company at this time was formed by Mr.. Win
sor to light bondon with gas !; but imperfect was
It's manufacture, and so great the ple udce it had to
overcome that the original projectors became embar-
rassed with difficulties and made but slow progress
in its introduction into general use The views Of
! Mr.. Winsor were extravagant in the extreme He
assured his subscribers that by the investment of
twenty five dollars, they ight hope for an annual
profit of three thousand dollars, and that England
ght save thereby three hundred millions of dollars
1t is not surprising that scheme conceived in such
an eXtravagant spirit, should have fallen into disre
pute, and for time have cast ob]oquy upon the
whole subject.
In 1912 the London and Westminster Gas light
Company, with capital of one million of dollars,
made The first real step in advance towards lighting
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gasometer, capable of holding 1000 feet. From
this lime the introduction of gas into use in London
became general that, in 1924 there were four
companies in operation, having Al gasometers, capa-
bic of containing 9l7940 feet of gas. During this
year 379 900 900 OF cubic feet of gas were manufaC
tued, and 81 ,2O3 buildings, and 1868 street LAMPS
| hghtei. The experiment thus made in London was
soon alter followed by many of the other cities in
England and the Continent. well as by those
Of the United States. The use of gas has now be-
come so general that few towns of any considerable
size in England and the United States are without it.
The process cf making coal gas is simple. Btu
minous coal is thrown into hot cylinder of iron
the mouth of which is closed carefully by an iron
| door, with the edges cemented by soft clay. The
vapor arising from the coal is received into tu be-
| by means of which it is permitted to escape into a
series of vessels, where it is cooled and deposites
much OF Its impure matter. 1t is then passed into
another series OF vessels containing quick lime which
obs 1t Of its snlphurous and other inter-
ElOI tIllS receiver III IlONS purIUeO, dS
we find it in use, into the gasometer, and is from
thence distributed, as it may be needed, through
! mains and service pipes, into various parts of the
city. The highly charged bituminous Goals, such as
the English CanneI Coal the Albert coal of Nova
Scotia found best adapted TO the purposes of gas
making.
! The machinery of different companies may have
slight differences, but the principle here set forth
is to be found in all of them, and in practice varies
but little. The chief improvement made within a
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supplied to the gasomeer. and the consequent regu-
larly with which the gas issues from the burners.
| The Louisiana Legislature convened on Monday,
2lst inst, at Baton Rouge, and Gov IIcrbert's mes
sage was read in both branches on the next day. II
IS briet but comprehensive document, chiefly occu
pied with pressing matters of Stale interest, and
opening with illusions to the recent election difficult
ties at New Orleans, We subjoin that portion re-
ferrng TO federal topics.
g The wild spirit of fanaticism which has fol
many years disturbed the repose Of the country has
steadily increased in power and influence. 1t con.
trolls the councils of several States, nullifes the
laws OF Congress, enacted for the protection of our
property, and resiSs the execution of them-even tc
| the shedding of blood. 1t has grown so powerful
that it aspres TO control The Federal Legislature
The fact can no longer be concealed however, much
it may be regretted. The slaveholdng States are
warned in time they should be prepared for the is
sue. If it must cOme the sooner the better The
! time Tor concessions on our part, and compromise
has past. If the Union cannot be maintained upor
| the just and wholesome principle Of the Consttu
ton, concessions and compromises will only retarC
its dissolution, not it. They have had, thu!
far other result than TO enc )urage attack and t(
increase the number of the aboti1nists. 1t would
however, be premature to suggest practical measures
of resistance or retaliation. The present session
Congress will develop fully the plans of that party
I Your own action must depend, in a great measure
upon the course which they shall pursue. The re
! sponsibiy will be upon those who have forced US
in defence of our most sacred rights, of our honor
and OF our very existence, to resort TO extreme rene
dies"
An Important Question o be settled.
We have alTea~ noticed In our telegraphc column
the rebuke administered TO the sympalhizers will
! Passmore Williamson by the legislature of Pennsyl
vania. 1t will be from the subjoined extrac
/ that highly important question is now occupying
the attention of the house Judiciary committee of the
same legislature. growing out of the in whcl
I Williamson made himself so notorious. The extrac
is taken from the Harrisburg correspondence of th
Philadelphia Ledger:
& In few days the committee of the judiciary il
the house will make written report the subjec
of transit through the Commonwealth of southerner
with their slave properly. The ma oriiy report will
take the ground that such right exists AMI has no
been impaired by our legislation; while the mnorit
will hold the position that such right does exist
and has been expressly prohibited by the Legislation
of 1917 The reports well drawr and DO ampl
Justice 10 the views of their authors. Mr.. MOntgom
cry, of Columbia is the author of the ma ority opin
ion, and Mr. Phelps, of n,strong, Of the minority
Ac ayarxtbinr hay IN tha n