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COAL MINES OF

too light to sweep off the increased dischargeof inflammable air which then issues out ofevery part of some mines ; where the inflam-mable air prevails between the workmen andthe upcast shafts, and a fall of stones or othercauses occur to force back the atmospheric,current towards the downcast shaft.

tc In several coal mines ingenious methodsare used for exploding the inflammable air asit accumulates; this plan undoubtedly hasmuch merit, but in the cases stated above, itdoes not apply so well as we could wish, as itis intended for general principles.

“• It is requisite to state that there are threeclasses of persons concerned in collieries:—theowners, who in general are persons of largeproperty, and for the most part understand-ing very little of the detail of business, or themethod pursued in carrying on their works;the chief viewers and under-viewers, to whomevery thing is entrusted; * and the pit-men, ofminers, who perform all the labour, and onwhom destruction falls. They are a veryhonest and industrious class of men.-f~ Many

* See Phil. Mag. May 1815, p. 377.

f From the observations I have been able to make onthe habits and characters of miners in general, I find thema very industrious quiet people, perfectly subservient inevery respect to their viewers or other masters; and