American inventions and inventors . s since the first introduction ofkerosene as an article of commerce. To-day it is in almostuniversal usethroughout the civil-ized world. It givesa convenient light ata moderate expense,and has thereforeproved a great bless-ing to the whalefishery has largely diminished; indeed, it would seem to be almost reasons for this are not difficult to find. In the firstplace, the number of whales is much less than formerly, sothat this business is far less profitable than it used to be. Inthe second place, the rapid development of the ke
American inventions and inventors . s since the first introduction ofkerosene as an article of commerce. To-day it is in almostuniversal usethroughout the civil-ized world. It givesa convenient light ata moderate expense,and has thereforeproved a great bless-ing to the whalefishery has largely diminished; indeed, it would seem to be almost reasons for this are not difficult to find. In the firstplace, the number of whales is much less than formerly, sothat this business is far less profitable than it used to be. Inthe second place, the rapid development of the kerosene in-dustry has so cheapened the product that people cannot af-ford to light their houses with whale oil, especially as theyfind the kerosene not only cheaper, but more convenient andsatisfactory. Common whale oil previous to 1850 had been furnishedat an average cost of perhaps fifty cents a gallon, while thesperm oil, which is of superior quality, cost as much as onedollar a gallon. The people of the whole country east of the. OIL WELLS. 80 AMERICAN INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. Rocky Mountains feed their lamps to-day with kerosene at acost of from eight cents to twelve cents a gallon. A few persons have made great fortunes from the oilwells. On the other hand,^it should not be forgotten thatthe modern processes of purifying kerosene could not havebeen put in operation without the aid of large fortunes. Acheap and satisfactory light has been furnished to all thepeople of the United States only by means of the great capi-tal employed in its production. So you see civilization is progressing, and we are all en-joying more blessings and conveniences than our fathershad. In the earlier times every one had to labor diligentlyto secure food, clothing, and shelter. As civilization ad-vances these require less time and expense, and we havegreater opportunities to attend to the development of ourhigher natures, the acquisition of knowledge, the pursuit ofscience, and the elevation of
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