Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-26

Ex-PREsIDENT PIERCE's VIsIT TO RoME.-An at
tempt recently made by writer in the New ork
Tribune to create an impression on the pubic mnd that
Gen Pierce had not been treated with respect on his late
visit to Rome when the opposite of the assertion was
the truth The sparkling volume of Colonel Fuller en-
titled "Sparks from Locomotive speaks OF the ex-
President in Rome in this wise
" But of all the strangers of distinction in Rome
is cOurted or more respected than our much
abused x-President, Franklin Pierce. Modest aabe,
and courteous everybody is seeking his society with as
much eagerness he avoids publicity. He refuses all
invitations except it be to join few Americans, and
then-or instance at Goldfish dinner at Harry Stones
find him the most entertaining and the most agree
able of companions. He will leave soon for England,
which he has visited, and where he will lind 1t diff
fcult to avoid all the honors that await him.
see some of the American papers are urging Cen
eral Plerces name as candidate for the next presden
tal term, but it is utter useless Nothing can induce
him to accept second nomination. public office OF
any grade. Notwithstanding my own official head
of the first to roll into the bushe under General
Perce's administration yet cannot orbear saying III
all sincerity and truth, that would up his bOgra-
ply in these brief words He was brave General,
patriotic President an honest His enemies found
it easy to abuse, but impossible to impeach him.
Thus it is that man who deports himself like a
modest and webred gentleman finds, where he least tx
poets it, tongues and pens to vindcate him from the
calumnities of bitter enemies General Pierce, at the
last accounts visit to the lake district OF Eng
land, and may be expected to reach his home IN New
Hampshire in a few weeks.
Coal AS AN AID TO INDUSTRIAL PROGREss.-Ques-
ton of high economical value arise out of the possible
development OF the great coal fields of the United States
which comprise less than l96850 square miles-ad
ded to which the British provinces contain 1880 square
miles. These coal areas are amazing and may be pro-
ductive of immense commercial results in the far future
When we reflect upon what has been achieved by the
produce of the coal fields of Britain specks
pared with those of the United States and in figures
amounting only to 5,400 square mes-when we further
consider the total coal fields of Europe and find them only
1864 square mes-and then endeavOr to anticipate the
mining of the enormous fields of the United States upon
an extensive SCALE we led to forecast future of almost
boundess enterprise for that wonderful country. An
estimate of the probable produce of the American coal
fields may be formed from data afforded in excel
lent work just published by Prof Rogers on the Geology
of Pennsylvania Averaging the total thickness of the
workable coal in Great Britain at 35 feet have total
of workable coal equal to l90000O00O0O TONS In the
way estimating the total othe productive coal
fields of orth America 100000 square miles THAT
is inclusive of the British provnces and averaging the
thickness of good workable coal at 20 feet result OF
100000 600 900 tons is gained. Or to make these
results apprecable if take the amount of work
able coal in Belgium l. then that in all the British
Islands is rather than D. that in all Europe 8 and
that in all the coal fields of North America is Ill
This method of ratio is ineligible than that OF
relative superficial magntudes-and at perceive
that the United States possess more than twenty-five
times our amount of coal-London Mining Journal.