DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. £81

the Hutton seam, which, being now workedout, is full of inflammable air. [And fromthis the tube runs by which we were enabledto make the experiments of Oct. 16 , 1815.-*-W. R. C.]

“ Much caution was required in keeping thecandles from approaching too near the staple,as their appearance, when held near the mouth,clearly indicated that, had they been introducedtoo far, an explosion must necessarily havefollowed.

“ Dr. Clanny and John Birkbeck, a manemployed in the mine, stood at the top. Mr.William Patterson, a very able and intelligentman, descended half down the staple, and Mr.Holmes stood upon the scaffolding. The lampwith the lighted candle was handed by Dr.Clanny to Mr. Patterson, who descended withit to Mr. Holmes; and after the bellows ofthe lamp were urged a few seconds, a slightflash occurred within the body of the lamp,and the candle was immediately afterwardsextinguished. No particular caution was ob-served with the lamp, as a confidence in itssecurity resulted from the experiments ofOct. id; and if a further proof of this wasnecessary, it was afforded by the presence of