Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine,  5 (1856–57), 201–03.

Approved Methods of Setting Houses on Fire

Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Heat, Amusement, Gender, Chemistry, Military Technology, Class


    Describes one 'elegant' and 'Galilean' method of setting houses on fire—focusing solar rays with a globular decanter filled with water. Insists that this method will be 'acceptable to the ladies who have learnt their Ologies'. Regards such other 'scientific and chemical' methods as 'a bottle of oxymuriatic matches' as 'too vulgar' for 'so profound a treatise as this'. (202) Wryly notes the skill with which 'Carpenters, chemists, distillers, bakers' and others tradesmen set fire to buildings (203). Explains the highly combustible properties of powder from a powder mill.



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