From the general healthiness of the valley, and the delightful scenery, and natural charms which it affords-from the excellent society of the village -the cheapness of living, and the competency of the instructors, the schools of Wilkes-Barre deservedly merit extensive patronage and support.

In conclusion it is proposed to take a summary and more connected view of the anthracite coal formation, and of the improvements in progress, and in contemplation, in this interesting region of country.

The origin of the anthracite coal formation, has been a fruitful subject of speculation. It is generally believed to be of vegetable origin, and there are certainly many facts which naturally lead to this conclusion. Its component parts, properties, and localities,and the various vegetable impressions which are every where plainly to be seen in this mineral, and also in the slate rock, which generally covers it, are regarded as conclusive evidences, that its first existence depended upon vegetable matter. It is supposed too, that its first formation was in horizontal strata, and that by some great convulsion of nature, they have been broken up, and the fragments thrown into the situations in which they are now found, inclining to every point of the compass, and in every position from horizontal to vertical. This opinion is as strongly supported by appearances in every part of the anthracite coal formation, as is the fact of its vegetable origin.

But at what period, and by what means such immense masses of vegetable matter were collected, and by what great convulsion of nature they were broken up after their formation, are problems, the solutions of which, are left entirely to conjecture. No history which has come down to us, furnishes any satisfactory data by which these enquiries can be answered. Indeed, it would seem very difficult to sustain this theory,

without intrenching upon the Mosaic account of the creation, and the unbroken chain of history since that period.

To suppose this mineral a primitive material in the formation of the earth; that it has undergone some mutations in the lapse of ages; and that its original situation was materially changed-its strata divided, and thrown into different positions, when the fountains of the great deep were broken up," would certainly relieve the subject from most of the difficulties in which science involves it, without impeaching the integrity of the sacred history, or detracting from the wisdom and goodness of the great Author and Maker of all things.

The anthracite coal formation, in this region, commences near the head waters of the Lackawannock, in Wayne county and extends down the valley of that stream to the Susquehanna river, at the head of the Wyoming valley; thence down the valley of Wyoming, to its southern extremity. Here its strata are lost in the mountains, until they again make their appearance at the Beaver meadows, and Mauch Chunk, in Northampton county, at the head waters of the Schuylkill, in Schuylkill county, and near the sources of most of the principal tributaries of the Susquehanna, from the east, below Sunbury, as far south as the stony creek, between the Kittaning and Peter's mountains, in Dauphin county. Its width through the vallies of the Lackawannock and Wyoming, is from one to five miles. It is seen cropping out upon the hills and mountains, on each side of the Lackawannock, (and in many places forming the bed of that stream,) through the townships of Blakeley, Providence, and part of Pittston, where it reaches the Susquehanna-thence it extends through Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Hanover and Newport, upon the east side of the river, and is found in great abundance, and has been exten

sively mined in Plymouth, upon the west side of the river. It has also been discovered on the west side of the river in Kingston, in the valley of Wyoming, and in Salem and Huntington, S. W. of the valley. Its general range is from northeast to south-west, and its length not far from seventy miles.

There are four or five different strata of coal, varying from six to twenty-four feet in thickness, with intervening strata of coarse sand stone and slate; which latter immediately covers the coal, and contains innumerable vegetable impressions. These different strata may be traced from near Carbondale, to the foot of the Wyoming valley, as they are intersected by ravines formed by the mountain streams, for the distance of more than fifty miles. The dip of the coal strata varies from five to fifteen degrees. Their inclination, it is believed, is less where the surface of the earth is level, and is greater, and more irregular, where the surface is broken and uneven. Their inclination, it is believed, will be found generally to correspond very nearly with that of the surface of the superincumbent earth or rock. These circumstances are most favorable to mining operations.

No examinations have as yet been made with the auger, to ascertain whether the strata exposed by the intersection of rivulets, are continuous through out this extensive coal formation; but every appearance indicates that such is the fact. The same number of strata appear, (where exposed,) in the same range, and of the same thickness; and although they may be frequently ruptured transversely, as well as longitudinally, yet the great fragments remain without any material change of position. This last remark is intended to apply more particularly to the Wyoming and Lackawannock vallies, where the coal strata are believed to be more regular, and their dip less, and more uni

form, than in any other portion of the anthracite coal formation.

If the data which are here furnished approximate near the truth, this coal tract contains more than five thousand millions of tons of this mineral, which at six cents per ton, in the mine, will amount to more than three hundred millions of dollars.

The coal localities, from which the greatest facilities of access are afforded to the Susquehanna, or to the canal, (if it should be extended through the Wyoming valley, of which there can be no doubt,) are those of Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, on the east, and of Plymouth, on the west side of the river; and of these, the coal of Wilkes-Barre and Plymouth, for thickness and extent of strata, have a decided preference.

That the Wyoming coal is equal, if not superior, to any of the anthracite species, is known to every practical man acquainted with the subject, and admitted by every mineralogist, and man of science, who has visited the country and examined for himself. That its extent, thickness of strata, the ease with which it may be mined, and the facilities which its localities afford for its transportation to the Susquehanna, or to the canal when constructed, are not here over-rated, a partial examination upon the ground, will furnish the most clear and satisfactory evidence.

But notwithstanding the extent, the richness, and other advantages of this coal tract, so well calculated to attract capitalists, aud encourage improvements, it still remains comparatively very little known in Pennsylvania. The late Gov. Clinton of New York, knew, and appreciated its value; and in his last message to the Legislature, urged the opening of every practicable avenue, by canal and rail road, to those extensive and inexhaustible mines. They have been reached near their extreme north-eastern extent, at the expense of

two millions, by a company of enterprizing citizens of that great state, aided by her legislature. Besides this, no other avenue has been opened (Feb. 1830) to this invaluable mineral. It remains locked up in its native hills and mountains, and will there repose undisturbed, until other facilities are afforded for its transportation, than the hazardous, expensive, and frequently disastrous floods of the Susquehanna.

IMPROVEMENTS.

The turnpike roads now finished, and which have been referred to under different heads in this appendix, are here enumerated, and their extent pointed out.

The Milford and Qwego, crosses the N. E. angle of the county, and passes through Blakeley and Greenfield townships. This is the shortest, and most expeditious stage route from the city of New York, to the western part of that state.

The Wilkes-Barre and Clifford, is completed from the Cochecton and Great Bend turnpike in Susquehanna county, to Blakeley, upon the Lackawannock, in Luzerne county, from which there is a good road to Wilkes-Barre. It passes through the village of Dundaff, in Susquehanna, and Greenfield and Blakeley, in Luzerne. On this road, a tri-weekly stage is established.

The Luzerne and Wayne county, passes through Providence and Blakeley, intersecting the Philadelphia and Great Bend, the Easton and Belmont, and the Milford and Owego turnpikes.

The Carbondale road, formed by the Hudson and Delaware Canal Company, and extends from Carbondale to the Milford and Owego turnpike, at Rix's Gap.

The Philadelphia and Great Bend, passes through Covington, Providence, Abington and Nicholson townships.