[Illustration:  STATUE OF PHILIP LEBON.]

Every one finally paid homage to the illustrious inventor, and a committee appointed in the name of the minister affirmed that “the advantageous results given by the experiments of Citizen Lebon have met and even exceeded the hopes of the friends of the sciences and arts.”  Napoleon I. soon granted Lebon a concession in the forest of Rouvray for the organization of an industry of wood distillation and gas making.  Unfortunately, Lebon was obliged to undertake too many things at once.  He prepared the gas, and produced acetic acid and tar that he had to send to Harve for the use of the navy.  Despite all his trouble and fatigue, he had something like a ray of hope.  He believed that he saw the day of fortune dawning.  His works were visited by numerous scientists, and among others the Russian princes Galitzin and Dolgorouki, who, in the name of their government, proposed to the inventor to transfer his plant to Russia, he to be free to set forth the conditions.  Lebon refused this splendid offer, and, in an outburst of patriotism, answered that his discovery belonged to his country, and that no other nation should before his own have the benefit of his labors.

The hopes of Lebon were of short duration.  Enemies and competitors caused him a thousand troubles, and the elements themselves seemed to turn against him.  During a hurricane, the humble house in which he dwelt was destroyed, and a fire shortly afterward consumed a portion of his works.  Fatality, like the genius of old, seemed to be following up the unfortunate inventor; but sorrows and reverses could not have any hold on this invincible spirit, who was so well seconded by a wife of lofty character.  Lebon, always at work, was seemingly about to triumph over all obstacles, and the hour of the realization of his project of lighting on a large scale was near, when a death as tragic as it was mysterious snatched him from his labors.  On the very day of the crowning of the emperor, December 2, 1804, the body of Philip Lebon was found lying inert and lifeless in the Champs Elysees, exhibiting thirteen deep wounds made by a dagger.—­La Nature.

* * * * *

A NEW PROCESS FOR THE DISTILLATION AND CONCENTRATION OF CHEMICAL LIQUIDS.

ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA.  INVENTOR, ALEX.  ANGUS CROLL.[1].

   [Footnote 1:  Read at the recent meeting of the Gas Institute,
   Glasgow.]

BY GEORGE ANDERSON, OF LONDON.