216 Method of raising large Stones out of the Earth, 



STR, 



I am favoured with your letter, desiring; my opinion of 

 the utility of the iron plug invented by Robert Richardson, 

 of Keswick. That which I use is about six inches long, 

 and one inch and a quarter in diameter ; it requires a hole 

 of its owp size, only two inches deep ; the plug is to be 

 driven in a little short of the bottom, and will raise a stone 

 of six or eight tons, with the assistance of three men, in the 

 course often minutes after the hole is prepared ; and I do not 

 hesitate to say, that three men, thus furnished, will clear 

 the ground of large stones in less time, and more effectually, 

 than twelve men by any other method yet come to my 

 knowledge. The plug should be made of good beaten iron. 

 The simplicity and cheapness of the whole apparatus is a 

 great object, as a good plug of the size I use will only cost 

 two shillings and sixpence. I am fully of opinion, that by 

 adding more and stronger ropes and pulleys, wotU might be 

 done by it to an amazing extent. I have reaped great ad- 

 vantage in my farm from the aid of the iron plug, and. in 

 justice to the inventor, am happy in thus vouching for its 

 extreme usefulness. Several of my respectable neighbours 

 have experienced the aid and benefit of the above instru- 

 ment, and will voljcIi, if required, for the truth of the above 

 statement. I am, sir, 



your truly obedient servant, 



lip .pert Wright. 



Rose Gill Hall, near Shap, Westmoreland, 

 May 9, 1808. 



To C. Taylor, M.D. Sec. 



Reference to the Engraving of Mr. Richardson's Invention 

 for raising large Stones out of' the Earth. See Plate VI. 

 Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. 



Fig. 1, K, shows the upper part of a stone nearly buried 

 in the earth, having a hole made in it three inches and a 

 half deep, and one inch in diameter, by means of a miner*s 

 jumper ; the cylindrical tail of the plug a, figs. 2, 3, and 4, 

 which is of the same size, is driven fast into it, by means 

 of a hammer applied upon the head of the plug at G. This 



