e they stood were, however, numerous copper and tin mines, many of
which had yielded a large profit to their owners. Among them was
Dolcoath, one of the oldest copper mines in Cornwall, 300 fathoms in
depth. Another, Eastpool, a tin and copper mine, from which ores to the
amount of 130,000 pounds have been won, after an original outlay of only
640 pounds. From the former mine native silver, cobalt, and bismuth
have also been obtained. The mineral deposits of Cornwall, it should be
known, are found in granite and grey slate. Those of Derbyshire and the
north of England--lead and iron--in the carboniferous system.

The travellers visited these and several other mines, among them the
Consolidated Copper Mines, situated in the parish of Gwennap, about
three miles from Redruth. They extend along the brow of a range of
steep hills, into which numerous shafts are sunk. The length of the
whole of these shafts together, it is calculated, is more than twelve
miles in perpendicular depth, and if to these are added the horizontal
galleries, which perforate the hill in all directions, the extent of
subterranean excavation is upwards of sixty miles.

Eight steam-engines of the largest size, and thirty of smaller
dimensions, are employed for drainage and other purposes, their ordinary
working power being equal to 4000 horses, but when their full power is
put on they almost equal that of 8000. To carry off the water from
these mines, a tunnel, with numerous ramifications has been formed,
measuring nearly thirty miles in length. One branch of this tunnel is
upwards of five miles long, carried underground 400 feet beneath the
surface, finding its outlet into the sea near Falmouth.

A few years ago the number of tin mines worked in Cornwall amounted to
139, and to 26 in Devonshire; and about 20,000 persons were employed in
them.

Although the wages of the miners are much inferior to those of the
pitmen in the northern coal-fields, yet they have advantages over their
brethren, being exempted from many of the evils to which the northern
miners are subjected. They have no fear of the fatal fire-damp or
sudden explosions. Intellectually they are also superior, as they are
mostly engaged in work requiring the exercise of mind. Their wages
arise from contract, and depend greatly upon their skill and energy.
They mostly have gardens, which they cultivate, and when near the coast
they engage in the fisheries, thus increasing their