IT WAS fifteen years from the time of Murdoch’s first installation at Soho before the streets of London were lighted by gas on a commercial scale. Our grandfathers seem to have had a great dread of gas, and public opposition no doubt had much to do with its exclusion from the metropolis. There were even at that time eminent literary and scientific men who did not hesitate to cast ridicule upon the proposal, and to declare the scheme to be only visionary. But in 1813, Westminster Bridge, and a year later St Margaret’s parish, was successfully lighted.
From that period the use of gas extended, but it was some time before the public fears were allayed, for it is related that Samuel Clegg, who undertook the lighting of London Bridge, had at first to light his own lamps, as nobody could be found to undertake this perilous office. Even after gas had come into general use as a street illuminant, it must have found its way but slowly into private houses. In an old play-bill of the Haymarket Theatre, dated 1843 — thirty years after the first introduction into the streets — it is announced:
“Among the most important Improvements, is the introduction (for the first time) of Gas as the Medium of Light!”
Précis
The introduction of gaslight to London was slow, thanks to a mistrust of gas shared by the public and many of the intelligentsia. Thanks to the determination of Murdoch and Clegg it was overcome and by Victoria’s accession in 1837 many of the capital’s streets, offices and places of public entertainment were all lit by coal gas. (57 / 60 words)
The introduction of gaslight to London was slow, thanks to a mistrust of gas shared by the public and many of the intelligentsia. Thanks to the determination of Murdoch and Clegg it was overcome and by Victoria’s accession in 1837 many of the capital’s streets, offices and places of public entertainment were all lit by coal gas.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, may, not, ought, unless, until, whether, who.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 After. But. Fifteen.
2 Length. Private. Theater.
3 Introduction. Other. Public.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Verb and Noun Find in Think and Speak
Many words can serve as noun or verb depending on context: see if you can prove this with the examples below. Nouns go well with words such as the/a, or his/her; verbs go well after I/you/he etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Doubt. 2 Time. 3 Scale. 4 Fear. 5 Gas. 6 Bill. 7 Course. 8 Make. 9 Use.
Variations: 1.if possible, use your noun in the plural, e.g. cat → cats. 2.use your verb in a past form, e.g. go → went. 3.use your noun in a sentence with one of these words: any, enough, fewer, less, no, some.
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
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