ast year, but it is pleasing to note that the others have shown at
least some slight improvement--crude naphtha and benzol having during
the year risen nearly one hundred per cent. in value. Let us hope that
this is the precursor of a general rise in value from which we shall all
profit. For the purpose of bringing about this much desired end, I
understand that some of the gentlemen present to-day have been burning
their tar in the retort furnaces, and as it will be interesting to know
what success they have attained, I hope some of them will favor us with
their experience on this subject.

In conclusion, let me express the hope that the time is not far distant
when the general trade of the country will attain to its wonted
prosperity, by which every branch of industry will benefit--ours among
the number; and that the hard times we have experienced, now for a
considerable number of years, may not again return.

Discussion next took place regarding the Welsbach incandescence gas
light, which was opened by Mr. McGrilchrist, who remarked on the very
fragile and tender nature of the "mantle," and expressed a hope that in
this direction improvement might be looked for. It was certainly a
beautiful light, and as to its consumption, he stated that the lamp then
shown to the meeting was only burning two cubic feet of gas per hour. [A
voice: Two and two-tenths.] He felt satisfied that it would enable the
manufacturers of gas to compete with paraffin oil, so that with Glasgow
gas they could have such a light as they saw at the rate of 4d. for
about fifty hours.

Mr. W. Key (Tradeston Gas Works) made a statement giving the results of
inquiries he had made at St. Enoch Station Hotel, where the light has
for some time been on exhibition. From the answers given to his
inquiries he spoke rather disparagingly of the lamp, but chiefly on
account of the expense involved in renewing the "mantles" and the glass
chimneys. He admitted, however, that the lamps which he had seen were
placed very unfavorably, being exposed to the action of somewhat violent
draughts, and he subsequently remarked that the lamp was of such a
nature as to effect the complete combustion of the carbon contained in
the gas. The burner must, therefore, be regarded as a great boon--as
_the_ burner, in short.

Mr. D.M. Nelson (Glasgow) gave his experience gained in connection with
the light, remarking that one of the great drawbacks to it was the very
great rarity of