( 44 > 
ft - ’ / ; -i. . . , ■ f o' \ - j *• f ' ' ■. ; ■ .. < 
A Relation of Per font lulled with fubterraneous 
This Relation was likewifemade to the J{oyal Society , by that 
Eminent Virtuo fo Sir Moray - who was pleafed 5 upon their de- 
fire., to give it them in writing; as followeth, 
In a Coal-pitjbelonging to the Lord Sinclair in Scotland ^ where 
the Coal is fome 18 or foot thick, and anciently wafted to a 
greatdepth: The Colliers^ fome Weeks agoe, having wrought 
as deep as they could, and being to remove into new Rooms 
(as they call them) did, by taking off, as they retired, part of the 
Coal that was left as Pillars to fupport the Roof and Earth over 
it, fo much weaken them, that within a ftiort fpace,after they 
were gone out of the Pitt, the Pillars falling, the Earth above 
them filled up the whole Space , where the Colliers had lately 
wrought, with its ruins. The Colliers being here-by out of 
work, fome of them adventured to work upon old remains of 
Walls, fo near the old waftes, that ftriking through the flender 
partition of the Coal waif that feparated between them and the 
place, where the y ufcd to work, they quickly perceived their 
Errour, and fearing to be ftifled by the bad Air, that they knew, 
poffefled thefe old waftes, in regard not onelyof the Damps, 
which fuch waftes do ufually afford, but becaufe there having 
for many years been a Fire in thofe waftes, that filled them with 
Rifling fumes and vapours, retired immediately and faved thcm- 
ielves from the eruptions of the Damp. But next day fome fe- 
veil or eight of them came no fooner fo farr down the ftaires, 
that led them to the place, where they had been the day before, 
as they intended, but upon their ftepping into the place, where 
the Air was infetfted, they fell down dead, as if they had been 
fhott : And there being amongft them one, whofc Wife was in-., 
formed he was ftifled in that place, file went down fo far with- 
out inconvenience, that feeing her Husband near her* ventu- 
red to go to him, but being choaked by the Damp, as foon as 
Hie came near him, (he fell down dead by him. 
This- 
