276 



In the grounds at Benwell, about a quarter of a mile north of 

 the river Tyne, a coal mine took fire at a workman's candle, negli- 

 gently placed, and continued burning about thirty years, though 

 at first so small, that a proposal was made to put it out for so low 

 a reward as half-a-crown, but it was not accepted. It afterwards 

 acquired such force and strength, Mr. Wallis says, from the kindled 

 sulphurs and bitumens, that it raged with fury, in various directions 

 and depths ; sometimes taking its course east and west, and at last 

 to the north, into the grounds of Fenham, near a mile from its first 

 appearance: committing great ravages in its way; and being only 

 conspicuous by its flame, and columns of smoke, in the night. 

 The eruptions at Fenham were in nearly twenty places*. 



Nor is it from accidents only that combustions of this kind 

 occur. Mr. Williams states that, within a mile of Kirkaldy, in 

 Scotland, in a great plain, called Dysart Moor, the coal, which is 

 there found in plenty, burns almost spontaneously Sometimes 

 flames are seen in the night, and a black smoke in the day The 

 inhabitants say, that at approach of storms, dreadful hissing noises 

 are heard from the holes and caverns, with a considerable discharge 

 of flame. Nor is it beds of coal only, that a slow combustion would 

 convert to mineral coal, as Mr. Kirwan calls this charred coal; 

 since a similar substance might probably be formed by the burning 

 of peat, the stratum covering which might so regulate its burning, 

 as to secure its charring. In addition to the instances, mentioned 

 in a former Letter, of these accidents, I will relate one, mentioned 

 by Abbe Fortis, who says, " Not many years ago, a fen, near the 

 village of Ostrovizza, was struck with lightning, and, its bottom 

 being turf, it burned a long time under ground, though the fire was 

 visible only in the night; after it was extinguished, the whole ferx 

 remained black, and the upper soil became barren -)-." 



* The Natural History of Northumberland, vol. i. p. 132. 

 f Travels in Dalmatia, p. 37. 



