DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 107

“ On. a Steady Light in Coal Mines, by W.

11. Clanny, M. D. read to the Royal So-ciety, May, 1813.

“ The many dreadful explosions of fire-damp, or inflammable air, which have occur-red in the extensive and well-regulated coalmines in this district in the course of nineyears, during which I have resided in thecounty of Durham, have often excited mymost serious attention ; and latterly these ex-plosions have caused the death of so many in-dustrious people, that no individual possessedof common humanity can look on the subjectwith indifference.

“ Though the improved methods of ventila-tion have been attended by many solid advan-tages to the proprietors of coal mines, it isnevertheless worthy of remark, that the in-creased frequency of explosions clearly demon-strates that ventilation in this case has beenno preventive.

“ Ventilation undoubtedly supplies atmosphe-ric air, but it cannot obviate those inundationsof inflammable air (if I may be permitted theexpression) which, rushing from the old work-ings and caverns of the coal mine, overwhelm