100 Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. Twelve Months' Tryal, the large Sums they had expended as private Adventurers did somewhat deter them from so vigorously pursuing such a favourable Prospect of Success, as perhaps some may think might have been done. But if they look back on the last long cold Winter, they will find, that in Hail, Kain, Frost, or Snow, the Work was carried on both Day and Night ; which did not show a Want of Spirit in either Adventurers or Workmen, However, the Proprietors, having taken into consideration the Arguments and Proposals publish'd in Mr. Brice's Journal, and finding the Inhabitants of both City and Country adjacent thereupon ready and willing to aid and assist in raising up this valuable Fossil, which, if obtain'd, can be deem'd no less than A Triple Blessing: Therefore, the Proprietors do hereby acknowledge, they are willing to accept the Offer made them, in the Manner and Form which has been set forth, viz. :— " For every Guinea raised by Subscription, they will, in Return, oblige themselves to render Four Quarters of Coal (as soon as it is in their Power so to do) containing the same Measure as at the Kay of Exon ; and so in proportion to every other sum subscribed. "And the Proprietors do hereby also acquaint the Public, That a Subscription is already opened, and th:it Books are placed at Moll's and Swale's Cnffee-houses, and also at Mr. Barnabas Thorn's, Book- seller, in the Churchyard, Exon ; and they also give Notice, That the said Mr. Barnabas Thorn has accepted of the office of Treasurer for that Purpose. " And that, upon Receipt of the Subscription Money he will deliver to each Subscriber a Ticket, which shall intitle the Bearer to the Proportion of Coal Subscribed for. " And further : Th* Proprietors do consent, and agree, that every Subscriber shall have their Quota of Coal according to their Subscrip- tion, previous to any Sale whatever. And to convince, and fully satisfy, the Subscribers that the Money raised by Subscription shall be used, and whollv expended, in their future search, they do also consent, that every Gentleman subscribing the sum of Five Guineas (whose Propor- tion of Coal will be Twenty Quarters) shall have Access to, and free Liberty, weekly, or monthly, to inspect and audit their Papers and Books of Account. By Order of the Proprietors, T. Taylor, Clerk to the Company." Another note on this subject appeared in the Western Antiquary, Vol. V., p. 236. It is there stated that in reference to a correspondent's enquiry as to the truth of a rumour that coal may be found at Stoke Hill, near Exeter, the editor of the Western Times reproduced the following, which appeared in his columns fourteen years previously. The cropping up of this question at long intervals is somewhat curious. Probably it arises from the discovery of black
