DEVELOPMENT OF COAL IN ENGLAND.
WE propose in the present chapter to present a brief sketch of the history and development of coal, confining ourselves almost exclusively to the older coal-fields of England, and to the early history of our Pennsyl vania anthracite regions: the first presenting the earliest data and the greatest present magnitude; the second presenting to us the most interest ing features and promising the greatest future importance.
In the early periods of civilization, before men congregated in cities and towns, the products of the forest were sufficient for their wants; but, with the progress of Christianity and the consequent development of intelligence, men became more sociable and dependent on each other, and not only found pleasure and profit in the social intercourse and the exchange of ideas, but also in the exchange of labor and the productions of labor. This led to the happy results of the present day, when the arts and sciences are practically useful to man and the hidden resources of Nature made avail able by their means. Thus, coal, iron, and oil are the developments of modern times, and are more the result of to intelligence than prii)w necessity. Men lived in cities and masses long ago, as they now live in China, yet did not, and do not, avail themselves of those great elements of strength and power,—not because they were not wanted, but because their intellectual attainments could not appreciate the bounteous gifts of Nature or convert them to use.
Coal exists in Syria, on Mount Lebanon, and may have been worked during the early ages, as we find frequent allusions to "coals of fire" in the Scriptures, which, however, may as likely refer to charcoal as stone coal.
The earliest notice we find of stone-coal is B. C. 371, in which Theophras tus, a Greek author, speaks of Lithanthrax as being found at Ellis and used by the smiths at that time.
But the coal-fields of England were undoubtedly the first to be practi cally developed. Evidences are found which demonstrate its use by the ancient Britons prior to the Roman invasion ; and the discovery of tools and coal-cinders near the stations on the Roman wall proves that it was used by them.
The first record which has come to light of the use of stone-coal in England, mentions the receipt of twelve cart-loads of fossil fuel, or pit coal, by the Abbey of Petersboro, A. D. 852. But not until 1180 do we find any records of regular mining. At this date, however, several leases or grants are recorded, in the books of the Bishop of Durham, of mines in the county of Durham. In 1240 coal was first sent to London, and in
1300 considerable quantities were used by smiths, brewers, and others.
In 1379 the first government tax was laid on coal; and from that time until the eighteenth century, or 1831, the tax was frequently changed, the lowest named being a duty of one shilling per chaldron, and the highest ten shillings per chaldron on all coals sent beyond sea.
In 1831, after a continuation of 400 years; the tax was repealed. The highest home-tax, perhaps, was during the great French wars, when it was nine shillings and fourpence per chaldron.
In 1612 the first patent for making iron with pit-coal was granted to Simon Sturtevant, at which time it was claimed that about three tons per furnace per week could be made with coal; but it does not appear that Sturtevant met with any success. Dudley again made the attempt, and obtained patents in 1619 for the manufacture of iron with pit-coal in Worcestershire. But poor Dudley lost all his property and was imprisoned for debt in his endeavors to perfect a process which has since been made so successful.
AVe do not read of any further attempts at the manufacture of pig-iron in the blast-furnace with pit-coal until 1713, when a Mr. Darby, of Cole brook Dale, appears to have used it successfully. In 1747 we learn that cast iron, suitable thr the manufacture of cannon, was made with pit-coal, and that both coal and iron were brought out of the same mine.
In 1700 the number of blast-furnaces in England appears to have been about sixty-four, using charcoal as a fuel, and were, consequently, located more with reference to a supply of wood than any other consideration. Sussex had the greatest number; there were some in Kent, and a few in the midland counties and along the Welsh borders. But about 1740, when the change of fuel from charcoal to coke took place and was being brought about, the number of furnaces decreased to 59, and the manufacturing interests were gradually removed from the woodland to the coal districts. The annual product of iron, about this time, decreased more than one fourth, and was only 17,350 tons ; but as the use of coke became general and better understood, the trade again increased to 61,300 tons in 1788, of which only 13,000 tons were made with charcoal, and from that date the development of the iron-trade of England was rapid, as the following figures indicate.