geography of coal. 
149 
instances of the contemporaneous occur¬ 
rence of two events, apparently indepen¬ 
dent of each other, yet linked together by 
relations quite as important as they were 
unexpected. No sooner does the distant 
sea, or the mighty river, bear on its bosom 
the fuel-devouring engine, than the explorer 
announces that in some adjacent land, coal 
has been discovered to supply its enormous 
demands. The extension of steam-power 
wall have the ultimate effect of bringing 
into operation collieries throughout the 
world: and thus an art and occupation un¬ 
known to our forefathers, will unite in a 
fresh community of interest and pursuit, 
people of the most distant regions. 
Africa^ that country of exceptions and 
incognita, has not yet we believe any coal 
mines in work. Happy if its commerce 
were in a commodity less dark and foul than 
the merchandise of men. 
Asia^ displays coal mines in China, the 
Burmese Empire, Hindostan, Persia, and 
in Australia and Van Diemans land. 
South America^ on the coasts of the Pa¬ 
cific, has disclosed extensive coal fields: 
N 5 
