The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-09-26
The Cost of a London Fog.
From the Leisure Hour.

A London fog is not merely cherries
and dsagreeable, but also very costly |
affair. Some years ago after Il day Of reg
ular fog in the month of January, the fol-
lowing statement was issued by the Gas
light and Coke Company.
"Ninety million cubic feet Of gas were
sent out during the twenty-four hours
ending at midnight This quantity was
an increase on that of the corresponding
day in the previous year (Which may be
taken as an ordinary January day. of 81
per cent, or over $4,000, 900 cubic feet.
The price was at that time three shil-
lings per 900 cubic feet, so that the pub
lie had to pay this one company G5,25O
extra on account of the fog. No less than
$500 tons of coal were carbonized during
the twentyfours to produce 9O,OOO,OOO
cubic feet of gas-the largest quantity ever
sent out in one day by the Gaslight and
Coke Company.
Let it be remembered that this was the
quantity ascertained and declared by only
one of the companies supplying gas to the
public, others having also an enormous
production. such as the South Metropolitan
Gas Company, the strike at the works OF
which at Lambeth last year caused so much
difficulty and annoyance. What was the
total amount over the average due to that
January day fog there are no statistics to
show. but it is evident that the cost to the
public for additional light must have been
very great.
Nor is it by gas bills only that the cost
of FOG is to be reckoned in the matter OF
artificial light Gas meters and the records
of gas companies afford some approximate
statistics, but how can we reckon the total
expense to the multitudes who use candles
and lamps of every kind -?
Many readers will remember the famous
Economical Project" as he called it, Of
Benjamin Franklin He thus introduced
his plan to the people of Paris: Il was, the
other evening, in grand company, where
the new lamp of NJ. Lang was exhibited,
and much admired for its spendor. But
inquiry was made whether the oil it con-
sumed was not in proportion to the light 1t
afforded. in which case there would be no
saving in the use of it. No one present
could satisfy us on that point but | was
pleased to see the general concern for econ
omy, for | love economy exceedingly
\ few days after, Franklin published his
project, which was no other than recon-
mendation to use sunlight more and artifi-
cial light less. The paper is in Franklin 5
best style-full of sound sense and genial
humor; but our reference to 1t is only on
account of the calculation he makes as to
the cost of candle-light. Suppose, he says
there are 900 families in Paris, and
that these families consume in the night
half pound of bougies or candles pei
hour. Taking one family with another
this he thought moderate estimate.
In the six months between March 20tl
and September 10th there are 1873 nights
during seven hours of which candles arr
burned in all 1881 hours. These hour
multiplied by 100 900 give the total of 12S,
100000 hours. At the current price o
wax and tallow he demonstrated that tn,
city of Paris could save 96,075, 900 livre
in the half year by early rising and usin;
sunlight.
There would be also considerable savin!
in the other six months, though the day
are shorter. 1t is pleasant to recall thi
jeu d'esprit of Franklin, as it sets up
thinking what must be the actual cost G
candle light and lamplight in the hundred
Of thousands of houses and wOrkrooms
shops and offices during a regular Londoi
fog.