On the Rhode Island Coal. 231 



which it affords, renders it an article peculiarly valuable 

 to artists of this description. 



For the burning of bricks, and the manufacture of 

 earthen- ware, and all sorts of pottery, such coal as this 

 is particularly convenient. The total absence of all 

 smoke or vapour renders it an article of consequence, 

 in particular for the finer kind of ware. 



But the same circumstances that make it more eligi- 

 ble for such manufactures, render it unfit for the rever- 

 batory furnace, which is used in refining a variety of 

 metals, as well as for other purposes. No fuel being 

 adapted for such furnaces but those which produce 

 considerable flame and smoke, such as the Virginia 

 coal, or wood, as the principles upon which these fur- 

 naces are erected requires, that the flame only should 

 traverse the surface of the metal, without any part of 

 the fuel being in contact with it. 



Having no doubt, myself, of the benefit which this 

 country may derive from the more general use of an ar- 

 ticle so well adapted to the purposes which I have 

 hinted at, I can, without hesitation, recommend it to 

 the serious attention of artists and manufacturers, parti- 

 cularly to those who are situated in the neighbourhood of 

 large cities, where wood is gradually becoming an ar- 

 ticle of considerable expence; and I cannot conclude 

 this part of the subject, without expressing my most 

 decided conviction, that those who will give this coal a 

 fair trial, for culinary purposes, and domestic use, will 

 be forced to acknowledge that it has many advantages. 



