Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exploration, Light, Heat, Instruments, Measurement, Technology, Commerce, Charlatanry

    Notes Charles P Smyth's recent illumination of the Great Pyramid of Giza 'with the Magnesium flame', but considers that magnesium lighting poses a threat to those despotic gas company directors and shareholders responsible for 'bad gas', 'dear gas', and 'dribbled gas'. Warns that 'before long, your meter will not be the common meter it is now; your piping times are coming to a close', and so advises gas companies to 'Be abundant, be brilliant, be cheap' and to 'satisfy our Equitable demands, and make our houses light-houses'. Concludes by warning them of a 'great Magnesium ribbon conspiracy' which will make gas 'an exploded antiquity'.