The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-27
FOOD AND GAS RRrnp,1u

England has advanced with rapid strides in edu.
cation, rational freedom and wise legislation since
the reform Bill was passed twenty-eight years ago.
his is very gratifying to all who labor for social
and educational progress. During the last session
OF Parliament, two bills were enacted which in an
especial manner, affect the welfare of the peonIe
and we look upon them with decided appreciation
The one relates to the adulteration of food and
drink, and the other to the sale of gas bv comnon
les. 1t has been enacted that any person seIIing
any article of food or drink which, to the knowi
edge OF the seller, contains any mixture injurious to
the health of the consumer-also any nerson VIII
sells for pure article of food or drink that 10
adulterated, shall, on conviction before two iusti
ces, forfeit sum not exceeding five pounds to-
gether with the costs of the prosecution, and on
second convection, the justices may order the par
uculars OF the offence to be published. Power is
given to local boards to appoint competent chem
lists, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
state, to examine articles of food offered for sale
alleged TO be adulterated, and report thereon, but
opportunity must be given to the seller of such ar
cies to accompany the purchaser to the ANALYST 70
secure the article from being tempered with The
purchaser of any article of food or drink can also
upon the payment of small fee, have the article
analysed by the appointed chemist. Ample proyi-
sIons are thus made to secure Justice to both mr.
chaser and seller. This law is certainly suscenti
Bile OF wider application and might be coined for
view 1ork and others of our own cities with i'm.
mense advantage to the community 1t is caIcnIat.
ed to deter interruptions dealers in alimentarv snS
stances from adulterating their articles for tho
purposes OF unlawful gain. Provision is also made
for cases of appeal, if objections are taken to the
ANALYSIS OF the chemist. This is positively neces
sary, as 1T requires not only great chemical knowI
edge, but very clear judgment to be an exact
and sound analyst. ~ '
The law relating to gas refers only to London.
put 1t is applicable guide to other cities The
act determines the quality of the common gas 70 he
suppheo, limits its cost, and provides for sniff
cient supply. Its Illuminating power mnst he
equal 70 SIX sperm candles at six to the pound The
Pno H.
mating power to twenty sperm candles 1t is tn ba
so pure that 1t will not discoor tumeric test manor
or darken paper imbued with acetate or carbonate
OF lead during one minutes exposure to a current
issuing at pressure OF hve-tenths of an inch of
water. The gas company which fails to comply |
with these conditions is liable to fine of ffty
pounds. The locals boards have the power 70 |
appoint competent examiners, who, for small fee
Will inspect and report to any consumer on the |
power and intensity of the gas supplied to him
Inc cost OF gas made from bituminous coal is fixed
at As 3D. per 1000 cubic feet that of camel coal
gas at Is. Cd.
This bill is udcious and scientific in its features.
There is very great difference between the quail
" OF gases made from different kinds of coal, |
whereas most persons suppose that all coal gas is
illKe The gas made from common LIVERPOOL coal |
possesses but little more than half the illuminating
power OF that obtained from camel coal In Lon |
gas sold in New York.
NO corporation or company has any right to |
establish an injurious custom practice II is the
luty OF the legislative authorities to protect the
'uoc from such practices, no matter whether il be
. the sale of food, drinks gas or any other thing
Iewton's London journal contains most able ar.
icle commencing the two reform acts we have
described. 1t justly asserts that while laws had
'een made previously for the punishment of frauds
committed by trustees, bankers, and othsr persons
ntrusted with property, it was remarkable that
Until now no adequate provision had been made to
revent adulteration in the important articles of
ood and drink, ON the quality of which our very
now that the telescope was invented before the
we may justly attribute the course of
egislation to the same causes-Scientifc American,
!; Macgregor Laird, the African explorer has lust
,aeu IN England. Mr.. Laird is known to those feel
afiTo a ateres in African enterprise by bis "Nar-
BOOK nuh, an Expedition up the River Niger"