The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-18
Burning Fluids.

may be. A Cornwall miner, for example, works
away under heroaripg waters of the Channel
which thunder over his head, and beholds at
times the sea penetrate into the main shaft with
absolute indifference, while the visitor who has
explored the depths of this great mine, shud-
ders at ths tumult of the waves above him.
The guides at Niagara pilot you under that
famous veil of water, and as you tread the
slippery path with an inward VOW that if
you get out again, you'll never venture back
for a second look, they move along with the
most enviable composure. A fox-hunting
Virginian would mount the famous Tartar
horse, which carried MAzEPPA on his head
long ride, but would shrink in terror firm
the ascent of ships shrouds in a gale of
wind; while on the other hand, Jack Tar, I'M
less drunk, would tremble on the back Of
thorough bred, and yet lay aloft with cheer
full alacrity in the midst of a hurricane And
thus we might multiply illustrations of the
truth of our assertion, that habtual centem-
plation ofdanger in civ IN and recyrripg form
lessons our apprehensions; and to that ex
tent tends to diminish our precautions. This
proposition is still more strikingly illustrated
in those cases where the peril is not so appa-
rent,as in the cases with which we have Illus
trated it. Each day brings us some ac-
count Of loss of lie or limb, through the me-
glect of men and women, in guarding against
what they regard as trihiug perils---if, indeed,
they regard them as pers at all These just
reflections have been suggested by the two
melancholy deaths in this city, c.,soned by
carelessuess with lamps; and although the
second case was not properly chargeabe to the
explosive nature of any Of the various burn
ing fluids in use, still the public cannot be
too cautious, as the frightful accidents daily
recorded by the papers show, in the use
and management. Of these dangerous means
of illumination. I 500
These fluids-hydro-ca now in use
can be rendered perfectly safe, we are in
formed by chemists, who have considered
them with view to prevent, as far as posi-
BILE, the occurrence of such accidents as those
to which we have alluded "a The danger
arises from the volatile nature Of the fluid
used. lhe volatile and invisible particles
come in contact with fame which is sup
posed to be at a safe distance, and the inevita-
Die consequence Isl explosion, more OF less
disastrous. As a rule, these disasters occur
with women, and are aggravated by the in
hammable texture of their dresses. Our.
changed mode of life now necessarily de-
'oi'es hotDel-eld- duties npon those who,
atoretlme, neither toiied nor spun, but who
are now heroically adapting themselves to
their new sphere Of domestic duties aud to
such, we say with emphasis, that it is both
false economy and a dangerous experimental
buy cheap burning fluids. 1t is only by re-
peated Installations that hydrocarbons can be
relieved from their dangerous volatile charac-
ter; and, as this process occasions consider
able reduction in quantity, there is cores
pondlng increase in price. 79 *
1t may, therefore, be laid down with Ger
tainty, that cheap by dro-carbons are danger
GUS fluids to use in household When we
iCSaii iiic hOIethCHOiN Cdsts eOt SltitlGi anu
painful death which the newspapers record
every day, we wonder that no humane lsgis-
iation has ever yet provided the countrywith
an Inspector Of Oils used for domestic pur-
poses. "A r.la tss4sg Ss1,.i
By this means, we ycoalti feel secure III
filling our lamps, and be relieved Of the too
often~well-founded apprehension that We
were handling a fluid more dangerous. as is
often the case, than 50 much Of sDuroNTs
best rifle powder. In the absence of inspec-
ton, however, the best rule to adopt, is to buy
none but the very best Of these fluids, in
which case the presumption is, that the dis
tillation has been carried to point which
renders them innocent OF explosive properties.
-.