DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 13(}

secure means for preventing the fatal effectswhich result from penetrating old wastes, con-stitute a great obstacle to the introduction ofphilosophical preventives, by the enhancementit gives to the salaries of the viewers and otherpersons employed. But I trust humanity willso far intercede, as to produce an effectualcounterbalance to this consideration, from thegreat encroachments upon human happiness,which is the certain result of its continuance.

“ Dr. Clanny, in his letter to me, very justlyobserves that the calamity must necessarilyincrease, unless means are generally adoptedto secure the lights from the sudden and un-foreseen eruptions of inflammable gas; as themines near Sunderland are in a most danger-ous state. It is a fact, which must strikehome to the reason of every impartial being,that from concealed inflammability,—from theaccidents which may occur to destroy the ven-tilation,—from the uncertainty in regard to sur-rounding wastes,—and from the regular accu-mulation of danger, should be drawn the in-ference, whether any human caution, unas-sisted by a counteracting principle of chemicalor scientific certainty, can or cannot remove thegreater dangers,and reduce the swellingmiseries.

£C To remove them all is impossible, but