Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-01-14
Gaurtestsr 9ailg Spg.-
OUR ARTIFICIAL LIGMf


Artificial light is as~Aecessary for the devel-
opment and enlsyment of man, as fire and
clothing I'D this light is not merely necessa-
y IAN in an advanced state of society, but
m the very rudest forms of social life. 1t has
been found that the best lighted cities are, pro-
proportionably, the most free from crime, be-
cause robbers can skulk in dark streets, and
pursue their nefarious practices with compare
tive impunity. The first city which was light
ed with gas was London. This was in 1914
sixteen years after some private manufactures
had adopted it, and proved its convenience and
economy.
In 1884 the city of Philadelphia sent an
agent to Europe to examine into the most inn
proved methods of manufacturing gas this
resulted in the erection Of the most perfect gas
establishment on our continent in that city, in
1886. AT present there are about two hundred
gas companies in our country, and the number
is increasing rapidly. The amount of gss con-
sumed isprodigious, amounting to about 4000,-
100000 cubic feet annually. The city of New
York alone consumes l, 130000,000 cubic feet,
at 81 90 per 1000 feet, amounting to no less
than S2,S25,000 There are $50 miles of main
gas pipes laid, and 1 200 street lamps supplied.
The price of gas varies in different cities; in
Pittsburg, it is 81 60 per thousand cubic feet
in Philadelphia, it is 81 49, in New York and
Boston, 50 so. The price of coal in Pittsburg
is only 81 so per ton of 1000 pounds; in the
other cities named, it is Sc so per ton of 2,240
pounds. These prices account, in great
measure, for the difference in the price of gas
in those cities. In Philadelphia, however, the
gas-works are the property of and are managed
by the city, while those of New York belong
to joint stock companies. The cost of gas an
nually to consumers in New York is S41S, 100
more than it otherwise would be if sold at Phil
adelphia prices.
Besides the two hundred gas companies al
luded to, there are large number of factories
In our country where gas is made from coal,
resin, and oil, on the premises. Gas is, I'M
doubtedly, the cheapest and most convenient
light for cities, but it cannot be manufactured
economically unless upon a somewhat extend
ed scale; other lights, therefore, must always
be employed extensively for small villages and
private dwellings. Oils made from coal seem
ed to present beautiful safe, and economical
light for general purposes in dwellings, and
they rapidly rose in the estimation of the pub
lie; but recently we have received great
number of complaints against these oils, both
asst regards their price and character In con-
sequence of the urgent demand for them, their
prlce has been raised above that of the best
sperm, and great quantities, in halfrefned
and adulterated condition, are being thrown up
on the market There appears to be revul-
sion of public opinion going on against such
ois, anu lney may go out as last as they came
into public favor. We have recently heard
many complaints also, against burning fluids
mixtures of four parts of alcohol to one of
pure turpentine, on account of authorizations in
them, so that many persons who formerly
burned spurious fluids have lately returned to
the use of fixed oils
Resin oils are durable, but very smoky
still they may be SO purified, or lamps may be
invented, so as to render them fit for common
use; and were this the case, such oils could be
sold at profit, for one-third the price of coal
or sperm oils. A wide field, well worthy OF
investigation to the chemist and mechanic, we
believe, is here presented.
Another point to which we wish to direct at
tention, is, the improvement of methods for
burning gas. By the use of open burners the
products of combustion pass into the atmos-
phere of rooms, and poison it. 1t is barbar-
Gus practice very similar to the burning of fires
in house without chimney. The pale and
exhausted countenances of persons subjected
for several hours to sitting in crowded church
or music hall lighted with gas, afford painful
evidence Of breathing in poisoned atmos-
phere. 1t would not be difficult to arrange
public buildings SO as to conduct the burned
gas products by tubes into chimneys in the
walls, thereby promoting health and the means
OF greater enjoyment, as an impure atmos
phere always tends to depress the spirits. This
is question which deserves the attention of
architects and others in regard to the erection
of new public buildings, all of which can be
fitted up with the improved arrangements sug
gested.-Scienhtc american.