f food, and on all existing
property, animate and inanimate; a state of things alike adverse to
production and trade. Is it reasonable to imagine, if the interests of
colonists are not considered jointly with those of the parent State,
that they can continue to administer to our wants, comforts, and
luxuries--above all, to our commercial nursery for seamen, the source of
our national greatness? A Parliamentary investigation is indispensable
to afford a chance of escape to these noble possessions of the Crown
from impending ruin."

For the relief of the West Indian colonies Lord Dundonald was also
anxious to obtain the intervention of Parliament; but he believed that
he had himself discovered one source of possible advancement for them.
His remarks concerning the pitch lake of Trinidad have already been
partly quoted. Having first explored that lake in the beginning of 1849,
he at once recognized the importance of its stores of bitumen, and much
of his leisure from official duties was employed in observations and
experiments with a view to its being utilized. He was soon convinced as
to its great and various importance. The decomposed bitumen that lay in
vast beds around the lake he found exceedingly valuable as a manure; and
he perceived that the liquid mass, of which boundless supplies might be
obtained, could be put to many very valuable uses. Here he discerned the
presence of a new material of commerce which might prove of incalculable
benefit not only to Trinidad but also to all the other West India
Islands; therefore he urged its employment, and, though but little heed
was paid to his advice, the successful results of the few cases in which
it was adopted fully justified his opinions.

After his return to England he also sought zealously to make his
discovery beneficial to himself. He was to a great extent baffled by the
obstacles common to new projects; but his projects afford curious
illustration of the activity of his mind and the fertility of his
inventive powers. "Used as a mastic," he said in a concise enumeration
of the uses to which he found that the bitumen might be put, "it is
peculiarly suited to unite and ensure the durability of hydraulic works.
It renders the foundations and superstructure of buildings impermeable
to humidity. It is admirably adapted, by its resistance to decomposition
by the most powerful solvents, to the construction of sewers, and, being
tasteless, it is an excellent coating to wa