A terrible colliery accident occurred yesterday week in Wales. Some
146 men were down the Park Slip coal mine at Aberkenfeg, when a terrible explosion occurred in the lowest workings, followed by the fall of roofs, and the rush of after- damp. It was at first believed that all in the mine had perished, but the work of rescue was at once commenced, and on Saturday, 41 of the miners were found alive. Most of them belonged to a party who were working higher up than the explosion, and who were directed by their fore- man, as they were not crushed, to remain quiet and await rescue. It appears to be admitted that the mine was in perfect order, and no explanation is suggested, or at least accepted, as to the cause of the explosion. The strictest investigation will probably be made, the Home Secretary having personally instituted inquiries on the spot, and the excitement extending throughout the mining region of Wales. We all, perhaps, forget a little too readily, when we discuss the wages, work, and complaints of the coal-getters, that they live under a hability more terrible than that of soldiers. Even on the battle-field, whole companies of soldiers cannot be buried alive,—a fate which, if not the worst of deaths, strikes the human imagination most keenly. It combines the horrors of death from wounds, from suffocation, and from slow starving.
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