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The Story of Coal-Gas 57 The capital ran away like water in carrying out the essential preliminary preparations, and to surmount this deficiency every penny received by the company was turned again into the business. The shareholders were forced to forgo their dividends, but they had the satisfaction of learning that they were building up a huge fabric, a monetary return upon which was certain to come in due course. Gas-lighting received a decided impetus during 1813. Clegg let himself go with a galaxy of gas- illuminating novelties to celebrate a national event. They made a deep impression upon the public, both among the citizens of, and country visitors to, the metropolis. Unfortunately, the most important device of this character was ruined by the exuberant enthu- siasm of one fervent citizen who considered the framework an ideal support for firing rockets ! By this time gas-lighting had become so firmly rooted as an indispensable commodity and convenience that its extension throughout London proceeded apace, the greater part of the metropolis being provided with a network of mains by 1814. It had also forged ahead among the provincial towns, the advantages of the public supply system being widely appreciated. Moreover, the success of the idea in Britain became known abroad, and the system of gas-lighting was exploited in every direction. The methods and de- vices evolved and perfected by Clegg became tacitly recognised as standards, and were freely copied. In some instances the lessons of accident from which Clegg benefited so profitably were ignored, especially in the United States, with the result that explosions and fires occurred with such exasperating frequency