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piece of artillery, from which they are pro-jected ; or they are gradually suffocated,and undergo a more painful death from thecarbonic acid and azote remaining in themine after the inflammation of the firedamp; or what, though it appears themildest, is perhaps the most severe fate,they are burnt or maimed, and often ren-dered incapable of labour and of healthyenjoyment for life.

The fire damp is found in the greatestquantity, and is most dangerous, in thedeepest mines; but it likewise often occursin superficial excavations, and I have nowa letter, of the date of June 8, 1816, inmy possession, in which it is stated, thatin the very commencement of working acoal mine in Shropshire, several minerswere killed, and others severely burnt.

Modes of preventing accidents from firedamp have been ardently sought for by allpersons connected with coal mines, and ithas even occupied the attention of an en-lightened government.—In consequence ofsome explosions which prevented the minersfrom working the coal mines at Brian^ion,