INTRODUCTION.

XI

The principal causes which have producedthe melancholy accidents in coal mines will,it is presumed, form a serious but interestinghistory; and while the-mind exercises itscontemplations upon their dreadful extent,and the physical source from whence theyhave originated, it will instinctively imbibethose sentiments which, as a preliminary, areso necessary to remove the evil, and readilycomprehend the great benefits which maybe expected to result from the introduc-tion of science where darkness and dangerexist.

There is a benevolence in any new regula-tion which administers comfort to the dis-tressed, which cannot be too much com-mended. Indeed the insufficiency of an in-dividual pen to describe the virtues of im-provement, and the merits of science, whenexerted for the good of the community, readilyadopts the eloquent and impressive languagefound in the works of an enlightened Divine,who, treating on science, thus expresses him-