The foundry was a great stone and brick structure adjacent to a stream of considerable size. Long before they could see the building, the din of the machinery and smoak from the chimneys announced their destination. Mr. Roberts had devised the mechanism of the steam-lights, and agreed some months previous to provide the foundry of Mr. Wainwright with several of them, in return for the privilege of shewing the invention to those who might wish to invest in the promotion of his apparatus. Upon removing from the carriage, Mr. Roberts, a small man of quick movements and dishevelled appearance, struggled in vain to shout over the clanging of metal and roar of the furnaces to introduce the party to Mr. Wainwright in the yard adjacent to the building. Contrary to Mr. Roberts, Mr. Wainwright was an enormous man, deliberate of speech, and dressed with all the dignity of a man in charge of his own manufactory. Inside the foundry, the cavernous room was entirely lit with the red glow of the molten iron and Mr. Roberts’ wonderful blue steam-light. Each steam-light was comprised of a large globe, affixed atop an iron pipe, which, as Mr. Roberts shouted to the assembly, was pressurised to introduce steam into the glass globe. Within the globe was a turbine assembly (the scientifical description of which was scarcely audible and altogether incomprehensible), and a generator of an electrical flow, which was produced by the spinning turbine. What could not be heard could be seen, however, and the immensity of the foundry’s interior was unquestionably suffused with a most peculiar—but not unpleasant—bright blue light.

Stepping outside, where the steady drizzle was now a welcome relief to the infernal heat of the foundry, Lady Catherine exclaimed that she would be much surprised if everyone employed therein were not stone-deaf within a week. Mr. Roberts explained that there was little requirement for communication in the foundry, but a great need to see, and hence Mr. Wainwright’s enthusiasm for the installation of the steam-light. Further, Mr. Roberts added, “The steam, being water, is infinitely safer than the coal-gas within the foundry. It is not to be thought of, the installation of coal-gas in such a place which requires open fires.”

Sir William nodded and added in a tone of thoughtful gravity, “And, similarly, the transportation of water is unquestionably safe, when compared to the risk of transporting the coal-gas; and certainly—as water is universally abundant—the need to install a system of pipes to carry it, such as is required for the coal-gas, makes the steam-light scheme highly œconomical.”

Colonel Wallis respectfully waited until the other two had finished their encomiums on the apparatus before speaking: “And, the steam does not give off the noxious vapours as does the exhaust from the gaslight. As everyone knows, the steam reverts to water in the air, which, in such a place as a foundry, is a positive benefit to the health.”