MICROSCOPE COMPARED.

159

creation, which sweep immeasurably along, and carry the impress of the Almighty's hand to the remotest shores of the universe; the other suggests to me that, within, and beneath all that minuteness which the aided eye of man has been able to explore, there may be a region of invisibles; and that, could we draw aside the mysterious curtain that hides it from our senses, we might see a theatre of as many wonders as astronomy has unfolded! an universe within the compass of a point, so small as to elude all the power of the microscope; but where the wonder-working God can raise another mechanism of worlds, and fill and animate them all with the evidence of his glory."

CHAPTER XII.

VALUE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT-ANCIENT LAMPS-IMPROVE. ARGAND-PERILS OF MINERS-DREADFUL

MENTS OF M.

EXPLOSIONS-THE SAFETY LAMP OF SIR H. DAVY-GASEOUS EXHALATIONS IN INDIA, PERSIA, AND AMERICAHISTORY OF LIGHTING BY GAS-ITS

DOMESTIC PURPOSES.

may

APPLICATION

ΤΟ

IF we except the essential articles of food and shelter, it be safely said, that nothing is more necessary to the comfort of man than artificial light. Accordingly, it has been sought, to a greater or less extent, by all people.

We read much of the bronze lamps used by the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, and other nations of antiquity; many of which are to be seen in private collections and public museums. Though some were of elegant construction, the principle was in all equally simple the wick was inserted by means of a small tube, or merely through a convenient opening, in a

VALUE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.

161

vessel containing oil. As they generally cast a large shadow, the body of the lamp was sometimes made, to prevent this inconvenience, with a projecting beak or spout, something like a cream ewer, so that by placing the wick in this part, the light in one direction was comparatively but little impeded. Much smoke must, however, have been produced.

Without such aid, a considerable portion of time in the climates inhabited by civilized men must be wasted in idleness; and though the privation might not be felt by the listless dwellers in the torrid zone, to us who live in the region of unequal nights and days, the want of it would operate as a check on improvement, and present a great barrier to the provision of the necessaries of life. It is no wonder that in this country where such is the fact, and where the arts have made so much progress, considerable attention should have been given to the manufacture and improvement of lamps. Many of these articles have discovered great ingenuity.

Until a recent period, however, the principle of the burner was the same; but to afford a sufficient supply of air was attended by considerable difficulty. Though a small wick produced only a small flame, yet the light was brilliant, because it was so fully in contact with the air, while when the wick was larger, though the flame

M

DANGERS OF MINERS LIKENED TO SIN.

66

163

affecting circumstances. Miners are exposed to peculiar dangers. "At one time," says Dr. Walsh, an odour of the most fragrant kind is diffused through the mine, resembling the scent of the sweetest flowers, and while the miner is inhaling the balmy gale, he is suddenly struck down and expires in the midst of his fancied enjoyment at another it comes in the form of a globe of air, enclosed in a filmy case; and while he is gazing on the light and beautiful object floating along, and is tempted to take it in his hand, it suddenly explodes, and destroys him and his companions in an instant."

The resemblance thus presented to sin is obvious. It addresses the senses and promises gratification, but it attracts only to deceive, and deceives only to destroy. "Look not thou," says Solomon, "upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." A similar charge may be given, and a similar declaration may be made in reference to every forbidden gratification. The promise, however flattering, is sure to be broken; but the misery attendant on sin will certainly come. The way of transgressors is hard. "Their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall,