OF DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 205 
coal thus hewn is called small coal, and that remaining between 
the kirve and the nicks is the “‘jud” or ‘‘top,” which is either dis- 
placed by driving in wedges or blasted down with gunpowder. 
Jt then becomes the “‘roundy.” The hewer fills his tubs, and con- 
tinues thus alternately hewing and filling. Meanwhile the caller 
having roused the putters, drivers, and off-handed men, the pit 
‘‘hings on,” z.e., starts work at five o’clock. The putters get down 
into the workings, and either push the full tubs along or get them 
pulled by ponies towards the shaft. The tubs are conducted 
into the cage by the “‘ onsetter,” and conveyed to “bank,” where 
the coal is weighed, screened, and sorted for the market. Hewing 
is decidedly the hardest work in the pit. The men are generally 
perspiring freely by the time they reach their kyevel; and 
although they work almost in a state of nudity, in a few 
minutes after they begin to hew the perspiration is running 
from them in streams. Unless hindered by want of tubs this 
continues until the end of the shift. At nine o’clock the back- 
shift men arrive, and begin work, and the fore-shift men 
go home. 
The pitman never feels hungry while at work, but on coming 
out he becomes ravenous, and takes food as soon as he enters 
his cottage. Many of the fore-shift men eat “ crowdy,” which 
is composed of oatmeal, hot water, and butter. Others take 
coffee or tea, with bread and butter, and some take dinner. The 
back-shift men always have dinner; this usually consists of 
roast beef or mutton and potatoes, with a boiled suet dumpling 
or pudding. They eat their pudding first, and beef or mutton 
after. ‘They take animal food once a day only, and considering 
the great muscular exertion necessary in hewing, the amount of 
beef and mutton they eat is moderate. They seldom or never 
drink beer at dinner; most smoke a pipe after it, and then they 
wash. ‘This washing process is done very effectually. <A large 
wooden tub of hot water is placed before the fire, and the man then 
sits down on a small stool, with one leg on each side of the tub, 
and being supplied with a piece of soap, he begins by washing 
his hands, arms, and chest; head, neck, and face follow, and he 
ends with the lower extremities, one after the other. This 
