Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 39 1 



fatigue than he could previously cut two tons. The effect of the 

 machine in clearing the colliery of noisome vapours is plainly indi- 

 cated by the offensive odour of the air discharged from it, and by the 

 fact observed yesterday, of a dense volume of powder smoke issuing 

 from the outlet valves of the machine, almost immediately after the 

 discharge of a blasting shot in the mine. When the ventilator was 

 first put in operation, the furnace, which is situated at a short di- 

 stance from it, in one of the air-tunnels on the surface, was also in 

 action, when, with almost the first motions of the pistons, the fire 

 was swept off the bars, and the red-hot cinders carried along the 

 inlet air-passages to the aerometers — a fact clearly illustrative of the 

 superior draught of this machine, as compared with that caused by 

 the furnace. 



Other facts, confirmatory of what has been stated, might be added ; 

 but it is presumed sufficient has been said to prove that, although 

 tried under great disadvantages, yet the success of this new mine 

 ventilator has been unequivocally demonstrated ; and that with the 

 slight improvements which experience may point out as expedient, 

 this mode of ventilating mines will constitute a means far superior 

 to the furnace, high-pressure steam, or any other mode which has 

 hitherto been attempted. 



It will be seen, on a reference to the plans, that it is perfectly un- 

 affected by the thermometrical and barometrical changes in the 

 atmosphere ; that it is capable of being so constructed, as to double 

 or treble the quantity of air ordinarily required, on the occurrence of 

 a diminished pressure of the atmosphere, or on other emergences ; 

 that its eflFective operation is uninfluenced by fogs or wind ; that it 

 constitutes an air-gauge, indicating the quantity of air at any time 

 passing through the colliery, and gives immediate and unequivocal 

 indications of the neglect of the man attending it ; that it may be 

 applied with facility to drawing as well as to other upcast shafts 

 and levels, and thus effect a great saving of the expense now incurred 

 by the rapid destruction of the chains, ropes, tubbing, &c., besides 

 diminishing the existing dangers caused thereby to the men. 



These, Sir, are a few of the benefits which will result from this 

 valuable invention ; to which may be added its easy adaptation to 

 the peculiar circumstances of any mine, without requiring any alte- 

 ration in its internal works. The cost of erecting a machine of the 

 same dimensions as that at Eaglesbush, independent of the engine 

 power, is about 300/., and it requires the attendance of only one 

 man, consuming somewhat less than two tons of small coal per week ; 

 so that, to its other numerous advantages, cheapness of cost and a 

 small annual expense are to be added. In many collieries there is 

 sufiicient spare power, so as to render the erection of an engine for 

 this purpose unnecessary ; and where this is not the case, 200/. will 

 amply provide the requisite power. 



It is highly gratifying to Messrs. Penrose and Evans, the pro- 

 prietors of Eaglesbush colliery, that their efforts to improve the ven- 

 tilation of their valuable mine have resulted in such signal success, 

 and converted one of the most dangerous into one of the safest col- 



