t793' iiierary society^ Newcastle. gi 



other hand, the speculative philosopher might perhaps 

 have an opportanity of returning the obligation, by com- 

 municating useful hints concerning the nature of the seve- 

 ral Jamps and vapours which infest the mines, with the 

 means of destroying or removing them. 



" Improvements in the machinery^ both above and below 

 ground, supply a constant field for the invention of the 

 fkilful mechanic j and indeed the bare keeping up of 

 that which is at present in use, will secure the constant 

 residence of ingenious men in this line, whose specula- 

 tions may afford both entertainment and advantage. To 

 this may be added, that there is probably still room for ' 

 improvement in the method of working the coal, both as 

 to quantity and roundnefs, in the means of preserving 

 the health, and providing for the safety of the miners, 

 icf . 'b'c. 



" 2. Similar observations may be made respecting the 

 other great product, lead ; particularly with regard to what 

 concerns the health of the workmen employed in all the 

 branches of it, from its first discovery in the mine, to 

 the manufactures in which it is even most remotely con- 

 cerned : to which may be added the great ease with 

 which a complete collection and investigation may be 

 made of the several kinds of ore, with the spars, and o- 

 ther heterogeneous substances, which are found along 

 with them in the veins 3 not to say that there is proba- 

 bly more room for the introduction of mechanical and o- 

 ther improvements, into the method of working lead, than 

 coal mines. 



*' 3. The introduction of various manufactures, which 

 depend upon the pttnty and cheapnefi oifuel; such as those 

 of wrought and cast iron, and steel, glafs, pottery, isc. 

 has been attended with great advantage to this neighbour-' 

 hood. May it not be one object of a society of this na- 



