DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 103

CHAPTER XIV,

Rights of Interference in Private Property.—Correspondence of Drs. Dewar and Trot-ter.—Danger resulting from having onlyone Shaft.-—Regulation of ExpenditureOld Wastes and Inundations. — Mr. Farcy'sScheme for Insulating Mines.

Sir W. BLACKSTONE says, in regard tothe interference of government with privateproperty, that “ in vain may it be urged thatthe good of the individual ought to yield tothat of the community:” again ; “ in this, as insimilar cases, the legislature alone can and fre-quently does interpose.”

I presume that this is meant to apply morestrictly when the individual, by retaining whatis good to himself, does net thereby trespasseither upon the good of individuals, or of thecommunity ; but surely if ever a governmentis justified in interposing its authority betweenthe interests—we may say security—of thepublic and individuals, it must be in instanceswhere the good of individuals is daily trespass-