felt in England, November 18, 1735. 359 
“ were so much alarmed by the noise, and the sudden gust of 
“ wind that attended it, as to leave their work ; some expect- 
“ ing that the whole mass of burnings above them, which 
et contains many hundred tons weight of rubbish, had given 
way, and that they should be buried in the ruins ; others, 
ic who were at work near the new shaft, supposed that the 
“ curb which supports the walling had given way, and the 
“ whole shaft had run in. Several chimnies were thrown 
“ down, and several families left their habitations ; indeed 
“ such a general alarm was never known in this neighbour- 
“ hood." 
The gust of wind mentioned by Mr. Milnes being consi- 
dered as a remarkable circumstance, he was desired to make 
some farther inquiry concerning it : in consequence of which 
a second letter was received from him, dated December 4, as 
follows. 
“ I have examined all our miners separately, and, from the 
“ following circumstances; I think there cannot be a doubt 
“ but the wind which was felt in the mines, on the 18th of last 
“ month, rushed into the shafts from the surface. 
“ Those men who were at work in the pumps, which are 
“ a considerable depth below the waggon gates, and have 
“ no communication therewith, did not feel the wind ; but 
ie heard, in the first place, a rushing rumbling kind of noise, 
“ which appeared to be at a distance, and to come nearer and 
“ nearer, until it seemed to pass over them, and die away. 
“ Those who were in the waggon gate which has a commu- 
“ nication with the engine shaft, and the new shaft, felt a 
“ very strong current of wind ; which, one man says, conti- 
“ nued whilst he walked about six or seven yards, and came 
MDCCXC VI . 3 A 
