The writer has had to mention only faults in boilers; but it is not to be inferred that all boilers are working in actual danger. A very small percentage perhaps are so; but without periodical examination no one can feel sure of the condition of any boiler. It is not likely that explosions in future will be from exactly the same causes as those now described, because the known faults will be avoided. For instance no new Balloon, Wagon, or Butterley boilers are now made; and the peculiar faults and the weakness of the tubes in Cornish and others of the better classes of boilers are now so well known as to be generally avoided; and as information spreads, many evils will become things of the past. As periodical examination has been so strongly advocated, it might seem natural to desire that it should be enforced by government authority; but this is by no means recommended. A select parliamentary committee has been recently investigating the subject, with a view to ascertain whether that would be desirable, but has adjourned for the session without coming to any decision on this point. Even if a perfect system of government inspection could be contrived and perfectly administered, it would have the effect of taking the responsibility from the owners, who are the natural guardians of the safety of their boilers. Although the loss of 70 lives per annum by boiler explosions is sufficiently deplorable, the deaths by railway accidents are more than three times that number; yet very little inspection of railways is held to be necessary, and that inspection takes place chiefly before the commencement of working or after accidents. A coercive system may introduce more evils than it cures, especially as at present so much difference of opinion exists respecting the causes of boiler explosions. In the opinion of the writer, far more real good arises from the calm discussion of the facts and from the spread of correct information by such societies as this Institution, than from enforcing by law any action which is not perhaps believed by the majority of steam users to be at all necessary or useful. It has been at times suggested to increase the power and responsibility of coroners in holding inquests upon those killed by boiler explosions, by requiring them to obtain scientific evidence and to insist that the causes of the explosions shall be added to the verdicts of juries. But it is believed that this would only encumber an important institution, because a jury who might well decide whether a person had been killed by any criminal carelessness would not be a suitable tribunal to decide between possibly conflicting scientific evidence; and also, as an inquest may result in a verdict of manslaughter, the eliciting of information on such an occasion is checked by the natural fear of inadvertently involving some one in so serious a charge. The public at large, and steam users generally, would gain more information and