178 REPORT— 1873. 



their days," and that they would not come down to the humiliating condition, 

 as they considered it, of " following the machine." 



This feeling on the part of the colliers has hindered the progress of machine- 

 work more than any other difficulty ; and although it yet prevails to some 

 extent, the more intelligent and tlie younger men evince a contrary disposi- 

 tion towards it. 



The leaders of the miners of Yorkshire and other districts have seen the 

 machines at work, and, whilst they express -without hesitation their un- 

 qualified approbation of them*, state frankly that their object wiU be to gain 

 as fuU and fair a share of the advantage of the machines as possible for their 

 own class. Wow nobody will object to that claim ; and when we come to con- 

 sider the figures of cost, as we presently shall do, it will be seen that that 

 claim has not been neglected. 



InteUigence is what is required to manage these machines, rather than 

 muscular development ; and any youth of ordinary capacity can in a few days 

 acquii'e sufficient knowledge to do so. 



In 1761, Michael Menzies, of Newcastle, obtained a patent for cutting coal 

 in mines ; and that is the earliest evidence which we have of any attempt 

 having been made to produce a mechanical coal-cutter ; and his plans, having 

 regard to the time at which they were produced, were remarkable for their 

 ingenuity. 



Menzies's specification is also remarkable in other respects, as showing that 

 it was his intention to make use of the " Fire Engine " as his motor, which 

 engine had about two years previously, tkrough the improvements of Watt 

 and of Smeaton, attained only to so much perfection as to become a doubtful 

 rival to the " Water Miln," the " Wind Miln," and the " Horse Gin." 



By the power of one or other of these agents, he proposed to give motion 

 to a heavy iron pick, made to reciprocate by means of spears and chains, 

 carried down the pit, and with wheels and horizontal spears, on rollers, 

 extended to the working places, and there to " shear " the coal exactly as it 

 is now performed. In the same patent Menzies included a " Saw" to cut 

 the coal ; and although nothing came from his labours, he displayed so much 

 mechanical knowledge as to have deserved success ; and I am satisfied that 

 his failure was due to the absence of an eligible power, and not to his defi- 

 ciencies as a mechanic. 



During the hundred years that followed these events, more than a hundred 

 other patents were applied for and granted ; but I cannot find, amongst them 

 all, that there was one machine that approached nearer to success than the 

 invention of Michael Menzies. 



This fact is not referred to in disparagement of the patentees ; for there were 

 many curious devices, ingeniously arranged ; but I name the matter to show 



* Extract from Letter received by the West Ardsley Company, dated 22nd February, 

 1872, from Mr. Philip Casey, of Barnsley, Secretary to the South Yorksliire Miners' 

 Union. 



" Will you allow me to express the gratitude which I feel for the pleasure I derived in 

 visiting your works yesterday ? 



" For many years the name of IVIr. Firth has been known to me in connexion with his 

 efi'orts to lighten the heavy labour incidental to mining operations ; and the coal-bearing 

 machine that I saw in operation at the West Ardsley Works altogether exceeded my 

 expectations. 



" I cannot see how the coal could possibly pay to be got by hand ; its extreme hardness, 

 coupled with the thinness of the seam, would make it utterly impossible. This machine 

 is the best friend the collier ever had ; but it will Ije our business to obtain a full and fair 

 shave of its benefits to our people.'' 



