Scenes And Incidents From The Life Of A Practical Miner
With A Treatise On The Ventilation Of Coal Mines

69 meets it on a well ascertained principle. There are some at that colliery that I expected had a knowledge of the true system of ventilation from the experience, time, and opportunities they have had. But there is this difference in men, that some can be made good scholars and dut u servants, who, when left to themselves, lack the genius to be cæ_^e^ masters. Besides, age has its effect on both the mind and body. With defects of the mind, however, I have no wish to quarrel. My object and sincere wish is to mitigate as much as possible, if we cannot do away altogether with those direful explosions that have’ swept away so many of your cheerful brethren and fellow-workmen, by imparting correct prin- ciples to the mind of some vigorous youth, who will manfully carry them into operation throughout the coal trade, and receive the credit due to his exertions. The witness goes on with his examination. Mr. Dunn : Is it not contrary to all principle for the after-damp to be carried on through the workings ? Mr. Forster: It is not contrary to your principle; you are always against splitting the air. . Mr. Dunn : I would not split the air, as at Bxirradon, into shreds and patches. Mr. Forster: You had better not say anything about Burradon. The Coroner : No, nothing about Burradon. On another occasion the same witness was questioned: Mr. Forster : You have asked me many questions. Why were you not down before the explosion? Mr. Dunn : I was down but recently. You might as well ask me why I am not down, every colliery before an explosion. Mr. Forster : How many collieries do you go down in a year ? Mr. Dunn : That is not the question. A Voice : Would you have had that done if you had been down here? Mr. Dünn; Yes. The Voice: Then why did you not godown? It was your business to see that it was put in. Mr. Dunn: It is not my business to manage the colliery. A Distant Voice: But it was your business to inspect it. In another part of the inquiry we observe Mr. Dunn say to one of the witnesses, “ Do not laugh; its a serious case.” Witness: I am not laughing Mr. Dunn: I am asking your opinion as a practical man. [Bah !] My deal' fellow-miners I do not know what you in general think about a Coroner’s court; but for myself, I conclude that the intelligent public will view it as a farce—a burlesque on humanity. Is it prudent to ask, have the Coroner and the person appointed by Government for the In- spection of the Coal Mines become inured to their trade; callous, like Jack Ketch with his culprits ? True, it was a serious case, and a solemn one for reflection. These twenty human beings, although of humble birth, were willing to toil and content to labour in the coal mine for their liveli- hood. They were as much endeared to their parents, their wives, and