Ill 
wisdom and experience ; at the same time, it is but too 
manifest in this, as in many kindred propositions, that the 
vast importance of the subject is by no means a sufficient 
passport for its ample consideration and intelligent direction. 
In this age of emulation and progressive enterprise, the 
common habit waits for no minute investigation of a prin- 
ciple, if, by ready adaptation, its general results can be 
brought within profitable command. And hence it is, that 
notwithstanding the mighty achievements which science has 
won for the present and immediately preceding generation 
of our race, the actual labourers in her domain are by no 
means to be counted by the number of those who profit by 
her results ; but they consist of the comparatively small 
army, which not unfrequently find it necessary, in the 
interests of humanity and philanthropy, to array themselves 
in momentary antagonism to established custom or unre- 
flecting prejudice. 
The arena which this society presents, is one which 
admits of the investigation of prejudices, without calling 
into existence the invidious reflections pertaining to their 
practical application. And so it is presumed, that colliery 
ventilation, even where its practice so much prevails, as in 
the district surrounding the place in which we are now 
assembled, may not unfairly or unprofitably be made the 
theme of our mquiry and discussion. The subject is one 
which stands out in prominent invitation to the exercise 
of practical and scientific skill ; and if, happily, from no 
recurrence of the fearful disasters which have at one time and 
another staggered us with their overwhelming melancholy 
results, — there is still the incontrovertible fact, that the cir- 
cumstances are in all but universal operation, as identified 
with the system of coal mining in this country, which in 
times past have associated themselves with calamities, which 
even the memory shudders to recall. 
