A FEW WORDS ON COLLIERS' WATER. IN opening out a direct line from the West End, Pimlico, or Victoria Station, to Balham Hill, the direct branch to Norwood, thence on to the Trunk Line to Brighton, we think it will be interesting to the public to be informed of some of the reminiscences of this locality, forming as they did in the early history of Croydon, important events connected with the great metropolis. We must all be aware of the comfort derived, and the indispensable necessity of Coal, in producing our great manufacturing and engineering wealth; and also, that Coal has not been developed for our use more than two centuries; and before that our ancestors used to burn wood in their fire-places, but in preparing the more luxurious dainties for the table, they required a more intense heat to prepare their gourmand dishes. Now the City of London and their Guilds of Trades were foremost in these grand banquets, and they needed Charcoal, and consequently, Charcoal burners, to produce this important auxiliary to aid in the preparation of their feasts. The men so employed were called Colliers, the same name that has descended to their fellows, and all employed in Coal mines in procuring our grand motive power-fuel. But to our record. It is most probable that London B |