416 The Thick Goal of South Staffordshire. 



be satisfactorily accounted for as being brought to the surface. 

 If this is really a true representation of the case, one-half of 

 this, the thickest, and one of the most valuable of our coal- 

 beds, is being lost for useful application by the wasteful 

 method of working at present generally adopted. It is only 

 just to state, however, that several of the viewers affirm that 

 the loss in mining is much less than above assumed ; in fact, 

 according to some calculations, we are asked to believe that as 

 much coal is obtained as can be reasonably expected. Pending 

 the further discussion of this matter, perhaps it would be pre- 

 mature to offer any decided opinion on the reliance to be placed 

 on either of the statements above referred to ; but it is the 

 general impression that the prevailing system of working the 

 ten-yard coal is a wasteful process, and that a large proportion 

 of the mineral wealth of this coal-field has been irretrievably 

 lost, and hence that it is rapidly approaching a period when 

 its busy manufactures must in great part cease. There can be 

 little doubt that this vast iron-producing district, over which, 

 in thriving times, a dense canopy of smoke continually hangs, 

 and reflects at night the lurid glare from thousands of fur- 

 nace, forge, and colliery fires, has reached, if it has not 

 already passed, the meridian of its prosperity. The countless 

 tons of valuable fuel which have, in former times, been lost for 

 all purposes of productive industry, will naturally hasten the 

 decline of those manufactures which depend mainly upon the 

 abundant and cheap supply of coal ; and hence it appears a 

 matter for deep regret that no legislative supervision has yet 

 been put upon the methods of working our mineral wealth. 

 The teachings of science are daily set at nought through the 

 greater part of the " Black Country," not only in the processes 

 by which the coal is extracted, but in the various branches of 

 the iron-trade — the staple industry of the district. There is no 

 organization with respect to the drainage of the mines. Every 

 proprietor does what he best can, or thinks best, to rid himself of 

 the water which collects in his mine; but in the majority of cases 

 the same water is allowed to find its way into adjoining mines, 

 and thus has to be again raised to the surface. The winding 

 and other appliances connected with the pits are nearly all of 

 the rudest possible description. The primitive horse-gin is in 

 operation in many places. The shafts have generally no 

 guides, and safety-cages are exceedingly rare. The mine agents 

 are, as a rule, not well acquainted with the principles of geology 

 or of mining science ; but there are indications that consider- 

 able improvement is taking place among this important body 

 of men. In no district of the country is there more crying 

 need for some comprehensive diffusion of scientific truths, for, 

 though much of its wealth is already lost, there yet remains no 



