FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY : TINPUBLISHED RECORDS. 13 
labours of the practical man were directed to this object, the more 
speculative of its members might bring the principles and discoveries 
of chemistry, to investigate the origin and nature of coal and ironstone. 
It may be safely asserted that there is no art more indebted to 
machinery than that of mining. In this department the steam 
engine would engage much of the Society's attention ; and the great 
results obtained in other districts, would be discussed with reference 
to their value in a neighbourhood where fuel is so much less costly. 
Under this head every process in the art of mining would be subjected 
to the test of science and experience. 
The valuable beds of iron-stone with which the county abounds 
would attract attention to all the arts of making and preparing that 
most useful of metals. 
Urged alike by interest and humanity, the great problem of 
ventilation would occupy the Society's most anxious hours. It is not 
perhaps generally known, that to an Association like the present we 
are indebted for the invention of the safety lamp. In the year 1815, 
Sir Humphrey Davy was invited by the coal-owners of the North, 
to experiment on the hre-damp ; and in course of a few weeks he 
produced his safety lamp, in nearly as perfect a state as we now have 
it. Valuable as that discovery undoubtedly was, it has, unfortunately 
left much to be desired ; it has succeeded in imprisoning the dark 
spirit of the mine, but it has left his nature unchanged ; and too 
often he bursts his bonds to give devastation to property and des- 
truction to life. It would be a proud triumph to this Society if it 
should stimulate another Davy to complete the conquest of that 
dreadful element, by the discovery of a neutralizing principle, for it 
is this alone that can give perfect security, and relieve the minds of 
all who are engaged in mining, from the most painful of their anxieties 
and responsibilities. 
It is to be hoped that a Society, whose members employ so nu- 
merous a body of the labouring classes, would consider it as one of 
its most important duties, to give effect to every suggestion for in- 
forming the minds, increasing the comforts, and (as the only sure 
foundation of these), improving the moral and religious habits of 
that important class of society. 
