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larger in size than would be possible by manual labour. It 
is a matter of surprise that the latter has not been superseded 
before now by machinery, which, in every other department, 
has contributed so largely to the development of mining 
industry. There have been some efforts made to overcome 
this difficulty, conspicuously amongst which stands out the 
machine of Mr. William Firth, of the West Yorkshire 
Colliery, Leeds, whom, I believe, for nearly a quarter of a 
century, has laboured to overcome the difficulties which 
circumstances and the prejudices of both coal-owners and 
miners presented to him, in demonstrating the great saving 
in cost, besides other advantages, which a coal-getting 
machine possessed. 
He may not live to see his machine in general use, but 
he will, at any rate, be rewarded for his labour by having 
the satisfaction of leaving behind him a principle, the slow 
extension of which at the present time, will be the wonder 
of those who come after us. There has also been introduced 
recently some very valuable machinery for drilling into rock 
or other minerals, of which the Ferroux and Bur- 
leigh Rock Drills may probably be the best examples, and 
which has established its reputation in a remarkable manner 
by the work it has executed in the construction of the Mont 
Cenis and St. Gothard's Tunnels. The principle of this 
machine, modified to meet the special requirements of 
mining, seem peculiarly adapted to coal-getting in mines 
where the works are not restricted to a moderate area. 
(7) MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS. 
There are other inventions less important, but still worthy 
of being considered in the progress of mining, such as the 
mechanical appliances for the utilisation of coal dust, mine 
respirators for continuing existence in an irrespirable atmo- 
sphere, of which, those of Sinclair, Galibert, and Fayol are a 
