The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-06-20
Early History OF Coal and IFS Use.

B!tuminous matter is said to exist abun-
dainty on the banks Of the Euphratss. In
the basin Of the Nile, coal mas been recently
discovered. Ii is found sparngly in some
parts OF Greece. An old history refers to
mineral coal being found and used by smiths.
Inc stones are earthly heads but kindle and
burn like wood. by none other of the
Oriental nations does Il appeer that the
great hea; or latent powers of the mineral
were SO early discovered as to render it an
| object Of commerce.
That which the Romans termed lapis. IA
by some considered the same rs ca.n.l coal.
They used it not for fuel, but for making
toys and ornaments. 1t is found in Syria,
and il made mention Of in the holy writ.
ings, but nowhere does it say how il was
obtained, or for what use. Nor, as ! can
find, was il used 10 consume burnt offer
inss; wood was preferred, probably owing
te its cheapness, and ia all domestic pur-
poses wood or charcoal was used. The sn-
cient Hebrews probably were not acquainted
with coal, as they went continually to the
mountains for wood. There are seams of
coal at Beyroot, protruding through the
earth and rocks, but there are no pits or ex-
cavations TO be seen, that would lead one to
suppose it was ever used or appreciated by
them to any extent
The Brtons were the first to avail them
selves Of SO valuable a combustible. In
Yorkshire stone hammers and hatclets have
been found in old mines thus showing that
the early Britons worked coal before the in
vasion Of the Romans. Manchester next
claims the merit Of the discovery. Portions
of coal were found imbcdded in the sand Of
an old Roman roadway, while an excavation
was being made for house; which, at the
time, were, by some, supposed to have been
collected for the use of garrison stationed
on the route Of this warlike invader, the Ro-
man. This much is certain that pieces Of
coal are constantly at that place being wash
ed out by the streams, and it is supposed
that the inhabitants were thus early attract
ed by its glstening. For long time after
this, it was not used nor but little valued,
turf and wood being the common article
used throughout the country. About the
middle Of the ninth century grant of land
was made by the Abby of Peterborough,
and among the payments was this, that
there should be brought to the monastery
sixty cart loads of wood and twelve Of coal.
This shows the comparative worth of it at
that time.
Again towards the end OF the thirteenth
century New Castle is said to have traded in
the article, by license Of the King which
was granted to the smiths and burgcsses Of
the town to trade and dig for it. About this
time, coal was first imported into London,
but was only used by the artisans Of tho
town. But, in consequence Of the smoke, it
was regarded very bad for the public health,
and Parliament petitoned the King to pro-
hbit the burning Of coal on the ground Of
its being a nuisance. \ proclamation was
granted to the petition, and the most severe
measures were adopted to prohibit its use.
Imprisonments and fines were imposed. and
the furnaces and shops where it was found
were destroyed.
1t was again brought into use, In the time
of Charles First, and has continued to in
crease steadily with the extension Of tho
arts and manufactures. At the present time
coal is annually CONSUMED to the amount OF
three and half million Of tons in London
and its suburbs u is also fast taking tho
place OF wood in the United States This
will soon be the case in most of our western
states, for the reason that wood cannot be
obtained. Already vast quantities of it arc
used TO feed the Iron hoase' as he rushes,
with his lightning train," over our prai.
In UigA .SczOol Journal.