The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-04-24
LIFE In ENGLISH COAL MINES.

TIE GOLFERS, THEIR DANGERS, ESCAPES ETC.
As rule, we do not find coIliers so, well
informed as factory operatives but, on the
other hand, they are quieter and more
sractable set. They hardly seem to know
fear; but still, the darkness in which they
labor, and the many dangers surrounding
them in their cavernous abode, appear 10
imperceplibly affect their general character
Though, from better application of mechan.
ical power, and a more scientific regulation
of the currents of air in our larger coal
mines, accidents have become less numer-
ous. they will, from the nature OF the work,
always. be rather frequent and the collier
on descending the shaft 10 his daily task, ii
reflective, must be keenly alive TO imPend-
ing danger. In walking through the coal
district about the time the men leave of
work, it is amusing to watch the different
bands of men emerging from the pits
mouth, having been quickly wound up by
the powerful machinery from the regions
OF darkness into the welcome light Of day
Many of them are as wild and froIicsome
as a pack of boys.iet out from school; and
as soon as they can free themselves from
me chains, in which they have been hang
ing like large bunch of smut.y grapes
the youngsters in the middle for greater
safety-fhey run capering and shouting
from the bank, making the most OF their
liberty, and dispelling, by their boisterous
mirth, and false notions of pity we may
have been entertaining for their hard lot -
In winter certainly, during their working
days, they never see the sun: for those OF
mence before it is light, and do not leave
of until it is dark, being underground nearly
from 4. NJ TO P. M. The Monday fol-
lowing the reckoning Saturday is mostly a
play day with these men and, If wages
are good, not unfrequently the Tuesday also
though on these occasions they will frequent
iy assemble al the pit at the customary
time and then, from some trivial excuse
easily found by men unwilling TO work-or
at the direct instigation of one of the young
est hands, they viii return home again. 1t
takes but little, on ordinary occasions, 10
make whole pits company play Should
the engineman be bat few minutes be-
hind time in the morning, and cause a
slight delay, when they are ready TO go
down the shaft, they will often refuse to
work; and should any unforeseen occurrence
prevent the whole days work being done,
ahey can seldom or never be pursuaded TO
begin later in the day, ard do threequarters
or half days work instead.
Though individually the colliers do not
care much for few wounds and bruises,
priding themselves upon their hardy endu-
rance of suffering, yet, if one oI their COM
pany is slightly hurt in any way, SO as to
De compelled to leave his post, they will
in general all desist from working. regard.
less Of consequences. We cannot give
shem, as class, great credit, for being prov
ident bnt there are many exceptions; and
in visiting their homes, we find that where
there is q shelf for a few books, little
store is also laid by, in the proverbial stock
sng foot or in the savings banks, against The
trainy day, AT present, literary societies
and mechanics' institutes have signally
failed in reaching the bulk of these men,
though free lectures, in populous places,
aud other means of social entertainment,
appear to be attended with good effects
For religious instruction, great portion
OF them are indebted 10 the Wesleyan con-
nection, and-as coming nearer still down
20 their lsvel---io the Primitive Methodists,