SS


tious,  a  ■  ring '  having  been  formed  in  coals  ;  but  they  managed
those  things  better  then  than  now,  and  held  pubhc  inquiry  on
'  forestallers  and  regraters.' '  '  The  lords  ordered  several  persons
to  attend  upon  account  of  engrossing  Coals,  and  among  them  two
noted  quakers  ;  'tis  said  the  chief  reason  of  their  being  so  dear  is,
that  several  persons  in  the  north,  and  some  Londoners,  have  farmed
most  of  the  Coal  pits  about  Newcastle,  with  design  to  sell  them  at
what  price  they  please.'  It  was  even  suggested  that  Government
should  take  the  matter  up.  '  'Tis  said  a  proposal  is  made  to  the
parliament,  that  the  queen  be  the  free  importer  of  Coals,  and  that
they  shal  never  exceed  2  5 j.  per  Chaldron,  nor  be  under  20J.'"

Not  only  were  they  dear,  but  at  times  poor  in  quality.  '  The
late  Common  Practice  at  Sunder-
land of  mixing  bad  sorts  of  Coals
with  the  right  Lumley  Coals,  giving
such  Mixtures  the  Name  of  pure
Lumley  Coals,'  &c.,  was  counter-
acted by  certificates  being  given  of
their  genuineness.  In  Oct.  171 1
coals  in  the  Pool  were  25J.  to  26s
a  chaldron.  Scotch  coals  had,
however,  been  introduced,  for  we
find  an  advertisement  :  '  At  Mr.
