country of Cayor is to be crossed: from whatever place the departure is taken, the states of Bourba-Walof must be crossed, also the country of Barre, that of Bambous, that of Meriné, the state of Bondou, by, which we arrive at Galam; from thence travelling up the river Senegal, by land, we pass the cataracts of the rock Felou and Govinea; advancing towards the mountains in which the Niger takes its source. The endeavour then should be to reach Kamalia, where Mungo Park resided for a time; passing by the back of the mountains; and following the course of the Niger to Sego; the descending current brings us to Tombuctoo, or to Houssa, or Tockrur, not far from the shores of the Niger; there are considerablecities in the centre of Africa, to which caravans frequently resort, as well from Morocco, as from Tunis, or Tripoli, or from Egypt or Abyssinia. From hence, therefore a Čaravan may be accompanied to Egypt, proceeding by Kasna, and Agadea, crossing a part of the desert, to the country of Bornou, from thence to the Kubbabée-Shrarabs, and so to upper Egypt.,

It cannot be concealed that various obstacles are to be overcome in such a journey; but, I think whoever is fortunate enough to arrive at Tambuctou or at Tockrur, will have performed the most hazardous portion of the journey. Arabs who have frequently effected this expedition are often met with in Senegal; as are Mandingoes on the Gambia. In 1786 M. Derneville, captain of the African batallion, who performed the journey to Galam, going up the river, was told of a letter written by white men, which had been brought by Mandingo merchants from above Galam; this letter they had received, at the distance of thirty five days' journey, from other merchants, but it was not forwarded, because they could find nobody who would give the price demanded for it. A great number of reports of this nature, were often in circulation at Senegal, and on the Gambia: they prove that the communication, however difficult it may be, is not impos

sible.

When a powerful government determines to reward such attempts by distinctions or by recompense, there will always be found men bold enough to undertake them, and probably fortunate enough to accomplish them."

The latter sentence of this Essay we heartily wish may be descriptive of those of our countrymen who have entered on this hazardous enterprize. It should be understood, that the Arab merchants who compose the caravans reckon length of time as nothing.

DOMESTIC GAS LIGHTS.

Ir has hitherto been a just remark, that however well the Gas Light principle, or operation, might suit extensive premises, yet it was not calculated for those smaller demands, which may with propriety be denominated home consumption. Private families could receive no benefit from the discovery; neither did it afford them the means of rendering useful any substance that hitherto had been waste, or worthless. It was to be hoped, and expected, that this improvement would at length be made; and we conjecture, that the following account of attempts for that purpose, will lead to others, of greater advantage. It is well known, that the principle of the Gas affording light, is found in many substances; some of which are now treated as mere refuse a mode of rendering these serviceable, seems to be all that is wanting to perfect the discovery ;-for, after the operation of fire in producing light, what further properties can be looked for? It gives pleasure to think that the improve. ment has originated among our fellowcountrymen in the British Settlements in

North America.

"Fort Ellis, Nova Scotia, Aug. 22, 1815. "Mr. EDITOR.-From a sense of the great benefits which society may derive from the following, we solicit a place in your valuable paper, so as to communicate our discoveries, for the general benefit of mankind, and of this province in particular. We think its utility will be universal throughout the whole continent of America, as it may be carried into effect so as to supersede in a great measure the consumption of candles and oil, whether in streets, warehouses, stores, workshops, or dwelling-houses; it will be found beneficial to every rank and class of inhabitants. The simplicity and easy expense of materials, and in constructing an apparatus to put it into practice, will, we trust, render it an object worthy of public attention, We took about six ounces of birch bark, and about two ounces of pitch pine knots, which we put into a metal tea-kettle holding about a gallon; we secured the top with clay, to prevent the gas evaporating therefrom; then placing the kettle on the fire, in about five to seven minutes the

current of smoke began to play out of the nose of the kettle, to which we applied a lighted candle: it communicated with the gas as quick as gunpowder, and continued burning with a clear and bright light, equal to three candles, for the space of one hour and thirty minutes. At the next trial, after cleaning the kettle of all the substances, so as to ascertain the effects of the bark alone, we put ten ounces of birch bark, and lengthened the conductor with reeds, or rush-pipes, and applied a lighted candle as formerly to the current issuing from the pipes, and it continued to give a most beautiful light for the space of three hours without ever burning the reeds.

We observed that there was about one or

one and a half inch of current between the reed and the flame. The longer the conductor the more pleasant the light, so that from one conductor there may be a variety of lights, and that too may be carried to the distance of miles by means of a conductor. Though the assertion may seem strange to some, to those who are any way acquainted with the nature of gas, we are assured it will meet their approbation.

“Thus far, sir, we have detailed, and trust that future experiments will give demonstrative proof of its utility. (Signed)

"JAMES HARRIS. "JAMES HARPER."

ance, and the consequent very high price of coals, rendered it peculiarly serviceable, especially when it is considered, it afforded great relief to not less than one thousand five hundred families residing in And various parts of the metropolis. though the loss incurred by the sale of coals in the winter 1814, amounted to 5731. 7s. yet the saving to the poor must have been to a much larger amount; coals being retailed for some weeks at 3s. and 3s. 6d. per bushel.

In the last winter, one hundred and were pureighty chaldrons of Coals dred and ninety-two chaldrons thirty-one chased, which yielded on re-sale one hun

bushels. These were mostly sold at the re

duced price of 9d. per bushel. The distribution commenced on the 16th of January, and terminated on the 28th of March, being thirty-seven days of delivery. The avidity with which recommendations were sought from subscribers, and the gratitude expressed by the applicants, evinced the value and importance of this relief, which extended to not less than one thousand five hundred necessitous families in different parts of the metropolis. The experience of the Committee has fully convinced them of the eligibility of assisting the poor with fuel at a reduced price in the winter season, and they cannot believe that any other mode of relief would be equally serviceable and acceptable. They are

of approbation and preference impresses the subscribers generally, from the great liberality with which this charity has been supported. The loss incurred by the sale of coals during the last winter has not been so great as in the former year, owing to the reduced price of the article, being 4957. 12s. Id.

After the experience the Committee have now had, it may not be improper to allude to some of the advantages of a charity in Coals. How great an article of primary necessity fuel is to the poor, every one on reflection must be convinced, constituting as it were the primum mobile to their cheap and economical living; greatly promoting cleanliness, on which their health much depends; and in numerous cases affording the means of industry, especially to the female sex but that the poor should be the only class of the community necessitated to pay an exorbitant price for coals, and at a time when their means of subsistence are also much dimi. nished, may well claim our sympathy and regret! In this great and populous metropolis, which frequently contains many thou.

and

sands of industrious mechanics and others, out of employ, or partially so, in the winter season, besides many other species of adversity and distress, there is no similar institution which continues its relief through the entire severity of the winter, and spreads its arms to all, without limitation of district. To adequately relieve the wants of the poor, in this respect, instead of one, there ought to be several depots in those parts of London where the poor principally abound, viz. Spitalfields, Shoreditch, Mile-End and Ratcliff, St. Luke's, and Cripplegate, Clerkenwell, St. Giles's, Marybone, Westminster, Lambeth, Southwark some of which places, by their remoteness from the CITY PUBLIC KITCHEN, though in so central a situation, preclude their inhabitants from that free participation in the intended relief which could be desired. In all those districts, there are not wanting many benevolent individuals, anxiously disposed towards the relief of the poor; and the Committee, from their past experience, can assure such, that by adopting the plan of this Institution, they may render them a beneficial assistance beyond what can easily be conceived, and at a less expense than by any other mode of relief. Private benevolence might be advantageously and easily directed into this new channel, if gentlemen, instead of giving money, which is too often mischievously abused, were to issue orders on some neighbouring coal-shed, and pay the difference in account.

With a view of extending the benefits of this charity as widely as possible, a judicious regulation was adopted by the Committee last winter, whereby the porterage of Coals was rendered as cheap to applicants residing at a considerable distance, as to those in the vicinity of the Public Kitchen. The Coals sold by the Association being always of the best quality, will go much further in the consumption than the very ordinary kinds

greater number of deserving objects than could be effected by any other mode, and it is most gratifying to them, to be able to assert, that the system of this charity affords such facilities to relief, that no necessitous or distressed person or family, residing in the City of London, or Parts Adjacent, need now be unrelieved in the essential article of Coals during the winter season.

The practical utility of this Institution being so great and evident, the Committee confidently rely on the continuance of that liberal and benevolent support from the subscribers and the public, which has hitherto been uniformly experienced.

Signed by Order and on 2
Behalf of the Committee, S

WILLIAM GOODE,
Vice-President.

Dr. STATEMENT of COAL ACCOUNT from
January 5th to May 10th 1814.

also better, it is supposed nearly one peck in a bushel; and the Committee, by purchasing large quantities, and at the most eligible times, have considerable advantages in price, quality, and measure, the salvage on the latter nearly defraying the expense of the men necessarily attending the delivery.

The Committee are convinced that the distribution by recommendatory tickets from the subscribers, diffuses the benefits of the relief more extensively, and to a VOL. IV. No. 19. Lit. Pan. N. S. April 1.

to Jan. 10th 1816.. Receipts.

L. s. d. 414 O 6

To Balance Feb. 15. Produce by Sale of 2,882 Bushels of Coals at 1s. 116 12 0 March 28. Ditto by Sale of 4,611 Bushels of Coals at 9d. Subscriptions.

Dec. 5. Interest on Exchequer Bills

F

172 18 8

706 15

13 1 $

£.1,423 7 S