72 HISTORY OF 



without giving any warning of its approach. 

 But there is still another, more deadly than all 

 the rest, which is found in those places where 

 the vapour has been long confined, and has 

 been by some accident set free. The air rushing 

 out from thence, always goes upon deadly er- 

 rands; and scarce any escape to describe the 

 symptoms of its operations. 



Some colliers in Scotland, working near an old 

 mine that had been long closed up, happened 

 inadvertently to open a hole into it, from the pit 

 where they were then employed. By great good 

 fortune, they at that time perceived their error, 

 and instantly fled for their lives. The next day, 

 however, they were resolved to renew their work 

 in the same pit, and eight of them ventured 

 down, without any great apprehensions ; but 

 they had scarcely got to the bottom of the stairs 

 that led to the pit, when, coming within the va- 

 pour, they all instantly dropped down dead, as if 

 they had been shot. Amongst these unfortunate 

 poor men, there was one whose wife was inform- 

 ed that he was stifled in the mine j and as he 

 happened to be next the entrance, she so far ven- 

 tured down as to see where he lay. As she ap- 

 proached the place, the sight of her husband in- 

 spired her with a desire to rescue him, if possible, 

 from that dreadful situation ; though a little re- 

 flection might have shewn her it was then too 

 late. But nothing could deter her ; she ventur- 

 ed forward, and had scarcely touched him with 

 her hand, when the damp prevailed, and the mis- 

 guided, but faithful creature, fell dead by his side. 



