The public mind is again painfully agitated by one of those direful calamities that too frequently occur in connection with our staple industry, viz. a Coal Pit explosion. The scene of this direful event is within 7 miles from the city of Durham, and 18 or 20 miles from Newcastle. The explosion occurred between three and four o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday, the 28th of September, 1844, and has proved fatal to ninety five individuals, being the greatest number lost by explosion in the county of Durham on record.

Immediately after the awful occurrence numbers of persons were seen hurrying to the mouth of the pit, anxious to learn the fate of their relatives and friends, when a scene presented itself that none but a spectator can duly appreciate. Fancy indeed cannot pourtray to the mind's eye the horrible appearance of the blackened and disfigured corpses of the sufferers. The bitter agonizing shrieks of the bereaved mother — the heart-rending lamentations of a sister over the remains of her dear and only brother. The feeble, though deeply felt moan of the grandfather, who had for years prided himself on the possession of noble, good, and industrious children. In fine, let the reader carry himself into one of the many desolated and deserted cottages of the village, that, on the morning of the fatal event, exulted in all the joy and pleasurable content, that the hard working sons of the mine are known to possess, and now behold the dismal change. Nothing but the bitter exclamation of the deepest woe, in truth, it may be said in the beautiful words of scripture, "That Rachael weeps for her children and will not be comforted, because they are not."

As is always the case upon these distressing occasions numbers of brave men were promptly on the spot to render every assistance, and at the imminent peril of their own lives quickly descended the shaft, and by relays of workmen succeeded by eight o'clock on Sunday morning in bringing up the whole of the bodies of the unfortunate sufferers, many of whom were dreadfully scorched, their mangled bodies presented an awful spectacle, sufficient of itself to bring home to any feeling bosom the burning thought that such dangerous employment should be amply rewarded. It is impossible to describe the distress and agony existing in the neighbourhood of the accident, which must be regretted by every person. The effects of this awful catastrophe will be the means of reducing many families to a state of poverty and dependency.

It is understood that the inquest will be held today (Monday) when care shall be taken to furnish every particular as to the cause and nature of the misfortune, and when, if any neglect be found on the part of the agents, it is to be hoped that a humane and feeling public will endeavour to bring before the proper tribunal the parties who can thus sport with human existence.