Part 5
It is, curiously enough, the smaller establishments of the kind which are the most harmful. The larger works have long employed the most complete processes, because the escape of effluvia would otherwise have been so great, that it would have speedily aroused hostile action on the part of the public. The imposition of preventive measures in the case of the smaller works—in many of which no precautions whatever have hitherto been adopted—is attended with some difficulty, since it involves an expenditure which would in some cases be almost prohibitive. It appears, indeed, that no maximum of escape can be fixed in works of this kind, and all that remains to be done is to render it compulsory that processes should be adopted for washing out such gases as are soluble, and for burning those which are more susceptible to such a method of treatment. Since such pernicious agents as fluorine compounds escape during the action of sulphuric acid upon phosphates, the question is one of some urgency. Again, another cause of complaint is the escape of sulphuretted hydrogen during the process of making sulphate of ammonia. In the larger gas-liquor-works the gas is burned, and converted into sulphuric acid in lead chambers; while in others it is passed through oxide of iron; and both these methods are perfectly satisfactory when properly carried out. Again, the discharge of sulphurous or muriatic gases evolved in extracting salt from brine is an evil which has remained unremedied almost down to the present time. Not the least curious feature of this question, too, is the fact that many of the products of distillation are so valuable that it is more than mere neglect to throw them away in the form of noxious gases. It is unnecessary to describe here the state of the salt districts. They might serve as a type of the abomination of desolation. The combined effect of the gases and the soot, which pours forth in prodigious volumes and from the chimneys of nearly a hundred salt-works in Cheshire alone, is most deplorable.
The only possible conclusion from this Report is that we are still far behindhand in these matters. We have, for instance, long continued to burn coal on the same principle, and are very slow to believe in any of the new methods which have been and are continually being introduced. Yet not only is black smoke very much more injurious to animal and vegetable life than when it has been rendered colourless by burning, but it is peculiarly wasteful. It has long been known that many valuable commodities could be obtained from coal; and but too little progress has hitherto been made in this direction. It is, then, all the more interesting to know that in some works in the north of England the gases from the blast furnaces have been cooled and washed, and ammoniacal salts obtained in such quantities as to make the process economical; while by the ‘Young and Beilby’ process it is contended that not only can the fuel be consumed for nothing, but that there will be several shillings a ton profit.
So far as manufactures are concerned, there certainly seems to be no valid reason why the rule that they must consume their own smoke should not be much more freely enforced. In the case of the alkali trades, which have long been in a very bad state, it is, of course, an unfortunate time to suggest the necessity for the outlay of more capital in improved works. But the exigencies of the public health are paramount, and needlessly offensive processes cannot be tolerated much longer. Such a case as that reported from Widnes, where waste heaps of offensive matter, consisting chiefly of sulphur and lime, are allowed to accumulate, although the sulphur could be extracted at a profit, and so prevented from poisoning the streams for miles around, is certainly difficult to explain. The drainage from these heaps alone is estimated as carrying away twelve tons or seventy pounds-worth of sulphur a day. But perhaps as soon as some satisfactory system for eliminating the sulphur has been hit upon, this will be remedied. We have certainly much yet to learn in sanitary science. The old theories are one by one being exploded, and it will no longer do for us to poison the air we breathe, under the pleasing impression that its purifying properties are inexhaustible. Civilisation has made such strides that she has succeeded in overturning the equilibrium of nature. The equilibrium must be restored.
TRIMMING THE FEET OF ELEPHANTS.
The feet of elephants kept for show purposes are trimmed two or three times a year. The sole of an elephant’s foot is heavily covered with a thick horny substance of material similar to the three toe-nails on each foot; and as it grows thicker and thicker, it tends to contract and crack, often laming the animal. Barnum the American showman recently subjected his elephants to the trimming process at one of the towns where he was exhibiting. With a knife about two feet long, great pieces of horn, six inches by four, and a quarter of an inch thick, were shaved off. Often pieces of glass, wire, nails, and other things are found imbedded in the foot, which have been picked up during street parades. Sometimes these irritating morsels work up into the leg and produce a festering sore. A large nail was found imbedded in the foot of one of the elephants, which had to be extracted with a pair of pincers, and the wound syringed with warm water. During the operation, the huge creature appeared to suffer great pain, but seemed to know that it would afterwards obtain relief, and therefore bore it patiently, and trumpeted its pleasure at the close. Three times around an elephant’s front-hoof is said to be his exact height.
SONNETS OF PRAISE.
THE VALES.
The nestling vales lie sheltered from rough winds, As little babes in tender keeping grow, Some narrow gorge each flowery limit binds; Thus we from childish eyes hide elder woe. The vales are thick with corn, with plenty shine; Thus should the children smile in sunny glee, For One hath blessed them with a love divine, The untried pilgrims of life’s stormy sea. Though rough winds cannot enter, gentle rain Refreshes the green vale, till springs arise, Their source the snow-clad hills; so age should gain, By gentle teaching childhood’s eager eyes. Rain fills the pools, the thirsty vale is blest; Thus should the children thrive, by love caressed.
THE MOUNTAINS.
The lofty mountains with their snowy crests, God’s ensigns, praise their Lord throughout the land; Their heights, which few can reach, in human breasts Inspiring awe, yet quake beneath His hand. Oft ’twixt their summits and the lower earth, The wreathing cloud-mists roll, alone they dwell As sight-dimmed age. Our cries of pain or mirth Molest them not; thus age with deadening spell Benumbs our ears, yet near each lonely peak Sing mountain birds, sunbeams each summit crown. From highest heaven thus God’s saints may seek Refuge in thoughts divine, though long years drown Earth’s sounds; on mountain crest reposed the Ark, Our home above shines clear, as earth grows dark.
M. P.
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[Transcriber’s note—the following changes have been made to this text.
Page 236: missing word “pounds” inserted—“3.532 pounds”.]