OF SOMERSETSHIRE-, 29

if equalled, The ſouth-weſtern parts of Wiltſhire, the northern of Dorſet, and the eaſt and ſouthern parts of S0- m«erſet, are the markets for conſumption.

The quantity now raiſed is from eight hundred to a thou- ſand tons weekly, which, in the courſe of a few years, might be extended to two thouſand tons, if ſale could be found. Boys and men employed at preſent amount to from five to ix bundred. An improved method of working has been lately adopted in ſome parts of this diſtri&, by which the ſprings are prevented from inundating the deep working; whereby its extent and duration will be confiderably promoted.

A canal to the works in this diſtri, which might be cut at an eaſy expence, has been for ſome time in contempla- tion;* and which not only would benefit the proprietors oí the works, by extending the conſumption, but alſo reduce the price to the more diſtant confurners more than half.

The average price of coal in this diſtrict is three-pence three-farthings per buſhel.

Should the works in the Northern diſtri be ſtopped, the probable increaſe of the poor-rates would be 20001. per annum. In the Southern(much more burthened with poor) to ſeven or eight ſhillings in the pound.

At Clapton alſo, a village lying to the north-weſt of Leigh-Down, there is a coal-work which poſſeſſes the ad- vantage of a land-level of forty-four fathoras. At this pit are landed about 240 buſhels daily. The beſt coal is ſold at three-pence halfpenny per buſhel, and the ſmall is ſhipped at Portiſhead-point for Wales, where it is uſed for burn-

ing lime,

® This is now(Jan. 1797) in execution, and the tonnage,&c- of

coal to Frome(nine miles) will not exceed 2s. per ton»

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