' 
Geology of Massachusetis. 45 
The extensive, and rapidly oo demand for the Penn- 
sylvania coal, is a conclusive testimony to its first rate excellence. 
e experiments of Mr. Bull of Philadelphia, as well as those 
of Professor Silliman, recorded in the eleventh volume of the 
American Journal of Science, show that the best Rhode Island 
coal is not greatly inferior. ‘The Worcester coal, burns with more 
difficulty : but gentlemen who have fairly tried it, and on whose 
testimony I can depend, assure me, that it may be employed suc- 
cessfully, and comfortably for fuel. There can be no doubt, that 
its quality is inferior to the coal of Pennsylvania, and also to that of 
Rhode Island.* But it may be very much inferior, and yet for many 
purposes, be exceedingly valuable. ‘The fact is, anthracite has to 
struggle with prejudices wherever it is first introduced, arising chiefly 
from the comparative difficulty with which it is ignited; and it hap- 
pens in regard to this substance, as with most things new and untried, 
that the community generally feel, as if their business was to find as 
many objections to it as possible ; and the man who would bring any 
new substance into —, use, needs no small share of patience, and 
perseverance. Dr. e states, that an experiment, made severa 
years ago at Smi thfeld, upon the burning of limestone, with the 
Rhode Island coal, and another upon the burning of brick, in the vi- 
cinity of Boston, were thought to be complete failures, Bonne the 
heat was so intense, that the surface of the lime and of the bricks was 
vitrified ; whereas the fact ought to havet aught the experimenters, that 
a more = regulation of the heat would ensure success. Indee 
ere jong, in nearly every case where a strong and wendy 
heat is Peepired, anthracite will be found superior to all other kinds of 
fuel; and that the anthracite of Rhode Island, and even that of 
Worcester, will be considered by posterity, if not by the present 
generation, as a treasure of great value. The Pennsylvania coal may 
indeed, for a great many years, command the market: but I appre- 
hend, that the time will come, when the expense of its transporta- 
tion to the Eastern States, and the increasing demand for it, will lead to 
the re-opening of the pits, that are now abandoned in New England. 
Tn coming to the conclusion, that the anthracite of Worcester, and 
even that of Rhode Island, are inferior to the Pennsylvania anthra- 
* According to the experiments of Mr. Bull, a Laarve'chh of the best povidllegs 
anthracite maintained ten degrees of heat in a roo rs and 4 
pound of the Rhode Island coal maintained the same ng et in sects same Pie ° ‘ie 
i and 
and 
ter coal, is one third greater than that of the coal from the two former localities. 
