PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
At the outset the author would like to put on record his great appreciation of the männer in which the first edition of his book was welcomed by the gas industry as a whole. When he originally embarked on the arduous task of attempting to pro-vide a really comprehensive reference book he little realized the time involved and the close attention to every detail which is demanded in the interests of accuracy.
The preparation of the second edition has, if anything, been more exactmg than the Compilation of the first; for in the past four years the technique of gasworks methods has undergone nothing less than an upheaval. As a result, the greater part of the material contained in the original edition has had to be rewritten. Moreover, the present vohime has undergone an increase in bulk of 50 per cent, as compared with its predecessor ; and, as yet, there is no indication as to when finality in this direction may be reached.
Some apology is due for the long time during whicli the book has been out of print, but my readers will understand that one was compelled to await some sem-blance of quiescence in gasworks developments before putting into permanent form principles and ideas which might prove of but ephemeral interest. Theprocess of evolution continues apace, but a certain amount of stability is noticeable now that the Gas Regulation Act is no longer a novelty. On the other hånd, great changes are still to be expected, for the gas engineer can never be content to call a halt until he has solved the problem of producing and distributing the cheapest form of gaseous heat unit.
Under circumstances of the most anomalous nature the author has endeavoured to keep abreast of the times, and—whatever the general impression of his attempt— he will at least be coasoled by the consciousness of an effort to give of his best.
A. M.
London, E.l.
September, 1921.
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