The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-04-28
Itom lAs N.s Yotk O1.sryer.
Coal and Coal Mines.


ter months but as to its origin, what it
really is, how long it takes to form, where
it comes from, or how long the supply will
last, are questions left by the many, for
the few to consider.
Redfern speaks scientifically when he
says "coal is II compressed and chemically
altered vegetable matter, associated with
more or less earthly substance" Fownes
says "coal is looked upon as product Of
decomposed organic matter, especially veg.
etable matter, beneath the surface Of the
earth, where water and air are almost ex-
cluded" In other words, coal is the re-
mains Of old forests, which have been
subjected TO an enormous pressure for
thousands Of years, or perhaps for ages.
Coal has been proved by the microscope
to be Of vegetable origin; very thin layers
Of coal have been examined by Dr. Aitkin,
and Of Glasgow, several others, and in every
portion so examined, they found traces Of
vegetable cells, or structures, showing It's
plant origin. Even in the most altered
coal this could be ascertained, and leaves
Of trees and portions Of branches were
plainly visible under similar examination.
Three principal varieties Of coal are met
with, Anthracite or Glance coal Lignite
or Brewn coal aud Black or Bituminous
coal, or rather a soft coal producing more
smoke and gas than coal in ordinary use.
How long it takes to form is question
not so easily answered. You may remem-
Der that Pollock speaks of Questions put
in much simplicity, but i'll to solve, and
this is one of those. Nature works slowly;
vast portions Of land may be covered by
the sea, or be reclaimed from the sea,
mighty monarchies may be overthrow,
whole generations of men may disappear
from the scene; but all this time, silently
down in the bowels Of the earth, a change
is taking place, aud the Great Ruler Of
the Universe, in His own time and way, is
preparing to meet the wants aud necessi-
ties Of man in ages far remote Remove
the earth's crust, dig little deep, and
we shall find that fuel Of another kind
from that used by former race of beings,
has been provided, and that the uncon-
sumed timber of another age is still in
existence, in another form tbs true, dis
colored it may be, but in its present state
more condensed, producing more heat,
occupying less space, and more adapted to
meet the requirements Of the men now
living than when it stood erect in some
primeval forest. Nothing is wasted in Ma
lures great laboratory, for the fuel not
wanted by one generation is wonderfully
preserved in Gods great storehouse for the
use Of the generations yet to come.
The use Of coal does not appear to have
been known to the aneients, and although
we read of Goals in the Bible on several
occasions as having been used, we are to
understand charcoal as meant and not
mineral Goals. We are not told that Goals
were even known to the Jews. OF late
years mineral coal has been found in
mount Lebanon, eight hours from Beirut.
Coal appears to have been discovered at
Newcastle, England, in the early part of
Of the thirteenth century, and not many
years after was complained Of as nui-
sance, and Parliament petitioned King
Edward the Third to prohibit its use. A
proclamation was soon issued to that ef-
feet, but, as wood was very dear, the use Of
coal became general, in spite of the proc
lamation and the Parliament, aud if there
has been one thing more than another
which has contributed to make England
what she is, it must surely have been the
discovery Of those wonderful coal mines
which, some few years since, appeared to
have been almost inexhaUstible.
Twenty years ago, 10000 tons Of coal
were consumed in Manchester and its
suburbs, per day, to furnish steam power;
5000 tons per day were used in the msn-
ufacture of salt transatlantic steamers
then took 10000 tons per year; gas works
10000 tons per year; and it is recorded
by Nj. de Carnal, one Of tho greatest own
ers of coal hlines in Prussia, that the guam
tity of "coal mined in 1857, in different
countries, amounted to 125,000,000 of
tons, mass which, piled up six feet high,
would cover geographical square mile,
and that it amounted in value to 49,
100000 sterling, sum far beyond that
realized by the digging of the precious
metals" Where coal is now found, and
how much was found in 1873, may be
seen by consulting the following table Of
statistics, compiled by New York firm
engaged in the coal trade Great Britain
Ia, ,400,O 900 tons; United States 50,000,-
900; Prussia 100000; France 15,000,-
900; Belgium 14,O0O,0OO; Austria 7,O00,-
900; Australia 100000, Nova Scotia
1000, 900; Spain 600, 600; India $50, 900;
Russia 100000; other Countries 2,000,-
600; total 23S, 100000.
These figures represent pretty nearly
the coal production Of the world for 1873,
and if we bear in mind that Great Britain
consumed, in 1871, no less than los, ,O0O,-
900 tons, chiefly on account of her indus
trial establishments, we are somewhat pre-
pared to answer the next question.
How long will the supply last 2 This
we confess is problem not solved to the
entire satisfaction Of all concerned. In
1859 it was affirmed that England could
furnish coal enough for all Europe for 4
900 years." but from pamphlet lately
issued, and from which the above statistics
were taken, we learn 'that the question of
coal supply in England has for q long time
engaged the earnest attention Of the gov
ernment, and the Commissioners appointed
by the Crown have, after five years of in
yestigatiou, at great expense, reported that
the amount Of coal in Great Britain to the
depth Of 1000 feet is only enough to last
from 200 to 300 years, and if the present
rate of increase in the consumption Of coal
be continued, the supply viii be much
sooner exhausted" At depth Of 1900
feet it would seem TO be an unheard-of
thing to pursue mining operations cat
Rosebridge, the deepest shaft in England,
1876 feet, the temperature is 92 degrees.
At $3.50 feet the temperature reaches
blood heat (98,) in which continuous ex-
ertiOn is impossible. The people of Eng
land begin to see that IN order to make
their supply keep pace with the ever-in-