COAL, 
of tbe quay to receive them. When the 
■waggons are loaded, they run without any 
assistance on the railway till they arrive 
at the quay, where the bottom striking out, 
the waggon discharges its contents into a 
large flue, or, as the workmen term it, a 
hurry, through which it rattles into the hold 
of the vessel with a noise like thunder. A 
man is placed in each waggon to guide it, 
who cheeks its progress, if necessary, by 
pressing down one of the wheels with a 
piece of wood provided for the purpose. 
When the waggons are unloaded, they are 
carried round by a turn-frame, and drawn 
back to the pits by a single horse along 
another road. The coal trade is supposed 
to maintain nearly 15,000 mariners, and to 
employ about 2000 coal-heavcrs, who are 
allowed a fixed sura on clearing each ship, 
according to her tonnage. These are sup- 
posed to be the hardest working men in the 
kingdom: they often earn six, seven, or 
eight shillings in the day ; of which at least 
one-third ; or perhaps one half, is spent in 
porter. By a late act coals are permitted 
to be landed at Paddington, in the parish 
of Mary-le-bone, not, however, exceeding 
a specified quantity vrithin the year. These 
coals come by the canals from the inland 
counties, generally in large masses, and free 
from coal-dust. A patent has been granted 
within these few years for the formation of 
coal-dust into balls, which are compacted 
by the admixture of soft clay, tanner’s 
bai-k, and various other materials, all of 
which tend to swell the mass, and form a 
tolerable fuel ; it brings much rubbish to an 
excellent use. A patent was also granted 
about 20 years back to Lord Dundonald, 
for making tar from coal. This tar has 
been found to answer many useful pur- 
poses, being an admirable coating for wood 
or other work exposed to the weather; 
but, on account of its . being peculiarly sub- 
tile, must be carefully kept away from 
articles of provision, to which it communi- 
cates a most unpleasant, bituminous flavour. 
The cinders and ashes from coal are in 
much estqnation as manure for particular 
soils, and are highly obnoxious to worms. 
They are likewise employed in the making 
of bricks. 
There are diflTerent opinions, among geo- 
logists respecting the origin of coal. Some 
siippose this combustible substance to be’ 
produced by the decomposition of the soft 
parts of the immense quantity of organized 
bodies of which we find almost every where 
the solid remains. But unlortmiately this 
conjecture, which appears so natural, i* 
liable to several strong objections. One i» 
the presence Of vegetables scarcely decom- 
posed, which are often met with in the 
middle of beds of coal. The others, the 
want of direct experiments to prove that 
organized bodies give out bitumen during 
their decomposition. Without stopping to 
discuss these points, we shall merely give 
the general conclusions of naturalists, as 
they are mentioned by Brogniart. 1 . That 
coal was formed, either at the same time, or 
after the existence of organized bodies. 
2. That this mineral when first formed was 
liquid, and of a great degree of purity. 3. 
That the cause which produces this deposit 
is several times renewed in the same place, 
and nearly under the same circumstances. 
4. That the cause, whatever it may be, is 
nearly the same over all the earth, since the 
beds of coal always exhibit nearly the same 
phenomena in their structure and acciden- 
tal circumstances. 5. That these beds have 
not been deposited by any violent revolu- 
tion ; but, on the contrary, in tire most tran- 
quil manner; since, the organized bodies 
that are found in them are often entire, and 
the leaves of vegetables impressed in the 
slate which covers the coals are hai'dly ever 
bruised, or otherwise deranged. 
COASTING, that part of navigation 
where the places assigned are not far dis- 
tant, so that a ship may sail in sight of land, 
or within soundings between them. In this 
there is only required a good knowledge of 
the land, the use of the compass and lead, 
or sounding line. 
Coasting pilot, one who, by experience, 
has become sufficiently acquainted with the 
nature of any particular coast to conduct 
a ship or fleet from one part of it to another. 
COAT of arms, in heraldry, a surcoat 
reaching to the waist, open at the sides, 
and ornamented with armorial bearings, 
worn by the ancient knights in times of 
war, or at tournaments, over their armour, 
being the principal characteristic by which 
they were distinguished from one another, 
the face being covered with the helmet. 
During the period of five centuries after 
the conquest, the variation in the mode of 
exhibiting coat-armour was very trivial. 
The Norman in the field being closely in- 
vested in armour which exactly fitted his 
shape, threw over it an ornamented surcoat 
witliout sleeves, at first loose ; but during 
the successive reigns of the three first 
Edwards, it was confined to the body in 
narrow folds. ■ After that the mixed armour 
