170

COAL MINKS OF

CHAPTER XV.

Evil Tendency of old Customs. — Mr. Buddie'sCalculation of Accidents.—Mysteries ofMining.—Observations by Dr. Thomson ,on the Necessity of Legislative Inter-ference.

Having delineated the most important cir-cumstances affecting the collieries, and de-scribed the dangers and misery attendant uponthe present system of management, I shallanticipate with considerable anxiety the activeexertions and feelings which will produce anamelioration in the situation of many thou-sands of poor persons ;* and it is to be hopedthat the miner will hereafter be led to parti-cipate in the beneficial effects of philosophicaland scientific improvements, without custom

* “ To smooth the smartings of calamity, to bind up thewounds of those whom fortune has crushed under herwheel, is real and exalted virtue. But there is a philan-throphy of a yet higher order, which is busied in removingthe causes and occasions of want , 'poverty, and distress.'"Sedgwicke on Blackstone, p. 235.