Читать книгу Description of the Process of Manufacturing Coal Gas. For the Lighting of Streets Houses, and Public Buildings онлайн

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The same brilliancy which makes the gas-lights of such utility out of doors, in lighting the streets, has been found of equal advantage in illuminating the interior of private dwellings, and large public buildings, such as churches, and theatres, &c. From a cluster of gas-lights, fewer by one-half than the number of oil lamps and candles required for lighting up a public edifice of this description in the most ordinary manner, a body of light is furnished which diffuses through the whole, a degree of mellow clearness which is not to be attained by the greatest number of oil lamps, or candles, which a due regard to respiration will admit of being employed. As examples of this, we have only to name the public theatres of the metropolis, all of which are lighted with gas, and in a manner which excites universal admiration.

It may perhaps be imagined that with a substance so inflammable, and amidst the blaze of resplendent flame which produces such beautiful effects, there is a peculiar risk of accidents by fire, but so far is this from being the case, that gas-lights are the safest of all lights. No danger can arise from these lights in any way, but what is common to candle lights and lamps of all kinds, and is the fault of none of them. The gas-lights are in fact a great deal less hazardous. There is no risk of those accidents which often happen from the guttering of candles, from sparks being detached, or from carelessly snuffing them. The gas-light lamps and burners, must necessarily be fixed to one place, and therefore cannot fall or otherwise become deranged, without being immediately extinguished. And further, at any time by shutting the main tube which conveys the gas to the burners and lamps, all the lights in the house can be immediately extinguished. In short, where gas is used, the master of the house, when he has turned the main stop-cock which conveys the gas into the collateral branch pipes, may retire to rest free from any of those apprehensions, which before harassed him, lest a candle might have been left burning, of lest the accidental dropping of a spark might become the cause of enveloping himself and family in destruction.