405 
of the machinery, from which the author explained that the 
machine was actuated by water pressure, produced by an 
engine placed at the bottom of the shaft. The water is 
conveyed in malleable iron pipes to the machine, a distance 
of about 600 yards, the pressure employed varying from 150 
to 300 lbs. per square inch. The cylinder is 4J inches in 
diameter, and 18 inches stroke, making 25 strokes per 
minute, and using in that time 40 gallons of water. The 
cutting bar is furnished with three cutters, thus effecting, at 
one stroke, a depth of three feet three inches. As much as 
39 feet in length, on the face of the coal, has been cut in the 
above depth in an hour. At the conclusion of the paper, an 
animated discussion ensued between Mr. Philip Cooper, of 
the Holmes and Masbro' Colliery; Mr. Jeffcock, senior; Mr. 
Warrington, and Mr. Embleton, when the latter explained 
that the cost per ton on the coal obtained, including interest 
of capital and all labour, varies from 3|fl?. to ftyd.; while 
hand-labour cost 8c/. per ton. The produce of slack is 8 per 
cent, by the machine, and all the coal is sent up to the surface. 
By hand-labour the average slack is 18 "3 per cent., besides 
18*75 per cent, left below, the latter proportion of which is 
altogether lost. Thus showing that, independent of the 
saving of time and labour, much less coal is destroyed and 
reduced to slack by the machine. Without entering into 
details to reduce this difference of production to money, the 
result is a saving of rather more than lOJcl per ton upon 
the produce. ( See Plate and further information.) 
The Chairman then called upon John James, Esq., F.S.A., 
of Brincliffe Edge, to read the second Paper — 
ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF SHEFFIELD. 
There exists in the human heart a universal and pre- 
dominant passion, which powerfully induces all intelligent 
classes to seek eagerly for information respecting the former 
