ABSTRACT
InthesouthernpartofStaffordshire-touchinguponthetownofWolverhampton,thenrunninginanorth-easterlydirectiontowardsBloxwich, fromthencestretchingtothesouth,andcomprisingwithinitslimitsWalsall,WednesburyandTipton,andextendingasfarasDudley-liesthe SouthStaffordshireCoalfield.Itisagreatbasinofcoalandironstone seams,frequentlyrunninginalternatestrata,andinsomeplacesespecially towardsthenorthernskirtsofthefield,approachingsonearthesurface astobecapableofexcavationbymeansofrudeandinexpensive,though intheendveryuneconomical,machinery.Thiscoalandironbedhasbeen diligentlyworkedformanyyears.Above,fordozensofmilestogether, thecountryisliterallyawasteofcindersandrefusecoaldust,studded withflamingiron-works,countlessenginehouses,andthicklyclustered groupsofdismal,squalidvillages,anyoneofwhichitisashardto distinguishfromitsneighbour,asitistomakeouttheindividualpitmen, whentheirfacesarealloneblackmaskofcoal-dustandgrime.Underneaththeseironworks,engine-housesandswarmingvillages,thecountry isabsolutelyhollow-therentandcrackedwalls,andtotteringbuildings markingwherethesuperincumbentstratahavebeencrusheddowninto thecavernsgraduallyformedbeneaththem.
