60 Original Articles. [Jan., 



lest any accident should happen. We met a gentleman skilled in 

 mines, and described the journey. " You actually went down," said 

 he, " supported by a chain with single links ? I would not have done 

 it." We shuddered at the thought of one link among the hundreds 

 being unsound, but then thought of the safety-catch. After we had left 

 the district, nine miners went down in the same carriage with the sup- 

 port of the same link-chain and safety-catch ; that one feeble link gave 

 way, and all these men were killed ! 



There are other ways of descending mines ; and we inquired as to 

 the ladders. They were said to be 15 feet in length, each with a little 

 projection for resting on. On close inquiry we found that this projec- 

 tion was not always placed, but the ladder simply continued to at 

 least 60 feet, and that strangers sometimes, in the very midst of their 

 ascent, would become transfixed ; incapable of moving in any direc- 

 tion. For a moment they pictured to themselves their real position, 

 which was that of standing on a ladder four* times higher in the air, 

 than St. Paul's ball and cross. The darkness hides this terrible fact, 

 but the keen imagination sees through the rocks, and the result is the 

 same as in the light. Probably no man could make the journey 

 daily if he saw such a depth below him ; darkness makes him appear 

 to be rising only a few steps, although these may be often repeated. 

 The mind must conform itself to the physical darkness, and not 

 trouble the feelings by throwing a light on the scene, which, although 

 purely that of thought, is almost as dangerous as would be the sun- 

 light. 



There are various kinds of stairs ; some, when the inclination 

 allows it, are merely boards with cross pieces to prevent slipping. 

 These are often easily ascended, but in coming down there is much 

 difficulty felt. We fear that in this country there is less attention 

 paid to having railings as a support as well as safeguard. Along the 

 footway there frequently runs the drawing-shaft, where the rough ore 

 is drawn rapidly in boxes, out of which pieces frequently fall. When 

 the shaft is confined, spiral stairs have been formed, but we do not 

 receive information* on this subject. To mount a spiral stair in an 

 old tower much above 100 feet high is fatigue enough for most per- 

 sons, if it is not also productive of giddiness. 



Another mode of descent is by the man-engine, which is a novelty 

 to most men, although it is thirty years since Dorell invented it, in 

 the Harz, and used it at Spiegelthal. We like to commemorate the 

 names of inventors, and should have preferred to call this a " Dorell," 

 if man-engine had not been so appropriate. 



This ingenious invention had a most miserable appearance at first. 

 To make the descent by it we were led to a small, brokeu-down hut, 

 standing apparently alone Inside of it were several miners, with their 

 candles in their hands. The candle is held in soft clay, which serves 

 as a candlestick. It is extremely flexible, takes every form, and clings 



* This refers to the Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into 

 the condition of all mines in Great Britain to which the provisions of the Act 

 23 & 24 Victoria Cap. 151, do not apply, with reference to the health and safety of 

 persons employed in such mines, 1864. The pages refer to the epitome of evidence. 



