Bituminous coal contains chemical compounds, nearly all of which can, by
distillation, be converted into an illuminating gas, and with this gas
cities are lighted. Fill with coal dust (or walnut or butternut meats)
the bowl of a tobacco-pipe; then cement the top over with some clay,
place the bowl in the fire, and soon smoke will issue from the end of
the stem. When that has ceased coming, apply a light, and it will burn
brilliantly for several minutes; after it has ceased, take the pipe from
the fire, and, when cool, remove the clay, and a piece of coke will be
found inside. Toy balloons can be filled by this means. They are made of
goldbeater’s skin, sheet gutta percha, &c., and are miniatures of the
aëronautic machines seen on gala occasions.