Coal Mines of Virginia. 127 
were first opened about 30 years since, and worked to some 
considerable extent. Experiencing, however, much inconve- 
nience from the near approach of the works toa part of the 
coal which was on fire ; and finding, from their unskilful mode 
of mining, that the business was not profitable, they abandon- 
ed the works and filled up their shaft. Some few years after, 
Mr. Heth obtained possession of the land; and, having import- 
ed two Scotch miners, commenced working the coal again. He 
has now three shafts open, in a line with each other, in the di- 
rection of the vein. They are sunk near the brink of a steep 
hill, which rises about 180 feet from the western bank of a small 
brook. The depth of one of the shafts is 350 feet. ‘The 
other two are about 300 feet deep, each. A steam-engine, con- 
structed by Bolton & Watt, is erected at the middle and deep- 
est shaft. It is used exclusively for pumping out water; but 
I will not trouble you with an account of the modus operandi, 
as it would be only a repetition of your own description of the 
Sate operation at the Cornwall mines. The coal is raised in 
a box, called by the miners a cowe. These cowes contain about 
two bushels each, and two of them are alternately rising and 
descending in each shaft. They are raised by means of ropes, 
fastened to a simple wheel and crank, which is turned by 
mules, In sinking their shafts, they cut, in the first place, per- 
Pendicularly (i. e. to the surface of the earth) through the 
Coal, to its lower surface ; and then, turning westwardly, they 
Oper a ho izontal gallery through the inclination of the vein, 
to its Upper surface ; by this means, to use their own terms, 
"Saining a double cut on it.” Their principal gallery passes 
(in the direction of the vein,) by the mouth of each shaft. Its 
length ig 1350 feet, and it is terminated at each end by a hitch 
or dyke of hard sandstone. (The passage was stopped with 
in such a manner as to prevent me from seeing the 
Stone myself, and the gentleman who escorted me through the 
mines ig my authority for its being sandstone ; he might pos- 
sibly: : however, have been mistaken, as it is difficult to ascer- 
: a 4 stone is, in such a place, until it is broken.) When 
Re at the pits, they were preparing to blast through this 
* At right angles to the principal gallery, they have 
