18 PROF. E. HULL, LL.D., F.E.S., ON OUR COAL KESERVKS 



on subjects which have attracted considerable attention, both of 

 the scientific woi-ld and (what I may call) the lay world outside ; 

 Init perhaps he has exceeded those efforts by bringing before ns 

 to-day the subject of the reserves of coal in this country ; for, as 

 Canon Girdlestone hns justly said, it is a subject that appeals to 

 all people and is of the greatest importance, not only to the 

 present inhabitants of the country, but the future. 



With respect to Professor Hull's political proposition I need not 

 say anything ; but with respect to the general reserves of coal in 

 this country, we may say that we haA'c a very large reserve of 

 coal — much larger than most people imagine, not a very great 

 distance from London — putting out of sight altogether the coal 

 south of the Thames; there exists in the middle of the county of 

 Warwick an enormous store of coal at a very easy accessible 

 distance from the metropolis. There are large stores of coal to 

 the north-west and also in the north, which, as Professor Hull calls 

 them, are "concealed stores" of coal, but yet to the knowledge of 

 geologists, the}^ are there ; and they are substantial sources of fuel 

 only awaiting the opei^ation of mining to make them of use to the 

 community. But there is one species of coal that wo ought to 

 prize exceedingly, and that is the semi-anthracite, or steam coal. 

 That is limited, in great measure, to one area of the British Islands, 

 and for that store of fuel we should have a special care and any pro- 

 position for its ])reservation, or economical use, ought to meet with 

 the most generous support. The other coals, bituminous coals 

 generally, are common to France, Belgium, and other pai'ts of 

 the earth ; but the store of semi-anthracite, in the South Wales coal 

 fields, is of great price, and w^e should set the highest possible 

 value on it and should economise its use and exportation for 

 future time. 



On these grounds I think you will all agree with me that our 

 heartiest thanks are due to Professor Hull for his address to-day. 

 (Applause.) 



The vote of thanks was then put to the Meeting and carried 

 unanimously. 



Professor Hull. — Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I thank 

 yoix very much indeed for the vote of thanks you have given me. 

 I have spoken so much already that I do not intend to detain you 

 any more to-night. 



Sir JcsEl'll FAYRIiK. — Thei'C is one duty that still remains before 



