DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND! 157

of the subject, not only to take into consider-ation such means as are best adapted to for-ward the adoption of inventions tending tosecure the mines, but to form such an estab-lishment as would be enabled to watch overthe regulations, and dispense premiums tothose persons whose inventions produced thegreatest benefits, or to each, according to thegood resulting from their plans.

It is the natural operation of all humanaffairs to oppose new systems by some obstaclesor other, and call forth not only the utmostmerit of its origin, but the utmost exertion of itsadvocates to gain the least establishment inthe minds of society; but once fairly estab-lished, it becomes the central point of exami-nation ; and the ability of that branch of man-kind which is interested either in its establish-ment or demolition, mutually converges to il-lustrate the benefits of a new invention, or toscrutinize and palliate its real merits. Thus itis that we trace the liberality of intelligentideas ; for it seldom happens, where any newor improved system gains the slightest repu-tation, but that it ultimately soars above thestrength of opposition, and gradually attainsa firm and beneficial establishment. Nothingcan better illustrate the merits of any inven-