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safety and welfare depends. The subject needs but little 
application on the part of those more immediately interested, 
to deduce a plan of operation at once simple and effective. 
Mining operations may not be identified with as much of 
scientific perfection as we could desire ; but it would be 
unjust to the proprietors of the present time to suppose 
that they were averse to their improvement. The period has 
arrived when some bold step must be taken for arresting them, 
or the disasters of explosion will be fearfully multiplied. 
It is for societies like the one I have the honour of 
addressing, to perform their part by drawing attention to 
the indices of scientific truth. And may we not hope that 
under their auspices a mighty effort will be at once made 
to ameliorate the condition and brighten the prospects which 
attend upon the mining industry of our country. Already 
an association has been heard of in this district of the coal 
viewers and mining engineers, which I trust will be speedily 
organised ; and that, if not in actual union, at least a most 
cordial intercourse may be established between such an 
association and the West Riding Geological and Polytechnic 
Society. I know of no arrangement more likely to advance 
the practical knowledge which it is desirable to obtain and 
bring to bear upon this all-important question. And 
whilst we congratulate ourselves on one, let us not overlook 
the indications of improvement in another division of the 
mining community of our district. 
The last few weeks have witnessed a most encouraging 
evidence of self-advancement amongst the working miners 
themselves ; and whilst in their praiseworthy efforts we 
heartily wish them God speed, still substantial aid should 
be forthcoming for enabling them to raise the standard of 
practical education in their own ranks. 
To the ignorance of the working miner may probably 
be traced many of the calamities which have awakened the 
