Gas consists of light carburetted hydrogen, defiant gas, hydrogen, carbonic oxide, nitrogen, vapour of volatile liquid, carbides of hydrogen, vapour of bisulphide of carbon.

Great care should be taken in the use of gas - a tap left unturned may cause the most serious accidents - kill a servant, or blow up a room. If by any chance it has escaped, windows should be at once opened to admit the atmospheric air, and let it escape, and it should be turned off at the main. We are of opinion that this should always be done at night, as in case of fire its presence in the pipes might prove dangerous, should a portion of them melt. The dry meter is the best.

The quantity of gas used can be noted and checked from the dial-plate in front of the meter.

Ventilation is especially required where gas is used, as it poisons the air, and blackens furniture and paper very much where ventilation is wanting.

The price of gas varies from 4s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. the thousand feet.

Light From Gas

Although chimneys are essential to argand gas-burners, and globes also in many places where fish-tail burners are used, and the ornamental effect is pleasant, still they are detrimental to the diffusion of the light of gas. A clear glass globe obstructs about 12 per cent, of light; a clear globe engraved with flowers about 24 per cent.; a globe ground all over 40 per cent.; an opal globe 60 per cent. Hence the folly is apparent of using elaborately engraved and ground glass globes or shades where it is desirable to economize. If engraved at all, the upper portion of the globe only should be embellished, while the lower part should be left clear for the free passage of light.

* If unevenly cut the lamp will flare, and the flame will come above the chimney.

Effect Of Gas On Steel Pens

When the pen has been written with, and appears spoiled, place it over a gaslight, for a short time - say a quarter of a minute - then dip it in water, and it will again be in good condition to write with. Also any new pen which is too hard to write with, will become softer with being heated in the same way.