ere of
course much more abundant, having formed since that period a large part
of the supply to the iron furnaces of this district. They are yet
numerous enough to catch the eye wherever the observer may direct his
steps, either along the retired lane, or in the secluded valley. The
fields and orchards, gardens and precincts of the Forest villages, are
nearly sure to contain them. Two localities, viz. Cinderford and
Cinderhill, no doubt derive their names from them. In some places they
have proved so abundant as to have enhanced the value of the land
containing them. They even occur on elevated spots, exposed to every
wind, and remote from human habitations. Nor is their existence to be
limited to the Forest, or even to the Gloucestershire side of the Wye,
since the Rev. T. W. Webb states--

"In many parts of the district of Irchinfield, in Herefordshire,
cinders are found in the road, or dispersed in the fields; and in
many places heaps of them have been discovered. I would particularly
specify the parishes of Tretire with Michaelchurch, Peterstow, great
heaps at St. Weonards, and Llangarren. In the last century, enormous
heaps were found at considerable depth in 'the Brook End,' a street
of Ross. Near Rudhall, the roads were repaired with them."

Their _character_ is peculiar, exhibiting by no means complete fusion,
but rather semi-vitrifaction by roasting; the ore retaining, not
unfrequently, a large measure of its original weight and form, explained,
as Dr. Percy kindly informs me, by charcoal being the fuel employed, and
not necessarily arising from want of skill in the operatives. They are
said to vary in richness according as they belong to an earlier or later
period--so much so, that some persons have ventured, on this data, to
specify their respective ages; but other causes may have produced this
difference. They exhibit, however, some slight variation of character,
indicative, it may be--for so Mr. Wyrrall considered--of relative age,
according as they are found to have left in them less or more of the
metallic element.

It is impossible to mistake them for common cinders; nor do they resemble
the slag of the modern smelting furnace. In fact, they are _sui
generis_, and can only be met with where the manufacture of iron was
anciently carried on.

Though the constant occurrence of wood embers with the old cinders is
conclusive proof that charcoal was the fuel invariab