"a peep at the gas-lights in pall mall", a humorous caricature of reactions to the installation of the new invention of gas-burning street lighting on pall-mall, london. Dialogue in caricature:
well-informed gentleman
"the coals being steam'd produces tar or paint for the outside of houses -- the smoke passing thro' water is deprived of substance and burns as you see. "
irishman
"arragh honey, if this man bring fire thro water we shall soon have the thames and the liffey burnt down -- and all the pretty little herrings and whales burnt to cinders. "
rustic bumpkin
"wauns, what a main pretty light it be: we have nothing like it in our country. "
quaker
"aye, friend, but it is all vanity: what is this to the inward light?"
shady female
"if this light is not put a stop to -- we must give up our business. We may as well shut up shop. "
shady male
"true, my dear: not a dark corner to be got for love or money. ". Date: 1809.
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