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mining operations; and last, but not the least, as one of the 

 elements affording us such pre-eminent position amongst the 

 civilized and progressive nations of the world. 



I have long felt that the subject of the present commiinication 

 would be acceptable to the Cotteswold Club, although perhaps 

 at first sight there may not be much to recommend it, but 

 believing that it is one of the duties of the Society to examine, 

 unravel, and chronicle the entire natural history, physical 

 structure, and features of their Coxmty in aU its phases and 

 under all conditions, it appears to me that a communication like 

 the present, at this time and in this locality, would enable us to 

 discuss the important question of the Geological position and 

 condition of the ores of Iron in the northern portion of the 

 Bristol Coalfield, and that of the districts of Frampton Cotterell, 

 Iron Acton, and Tortworth in particular. 



It is singular, though nevertheless true, and seems almost to 

 be due to some great law, especially as regards the association 

 and deposition of the ores of Iron, that the ore, the fuel, and the 

 fluxes are generally, if not always, intimately associated mineral 

 products; and doubtless it is to this circumstance and fact, that 

 the prosperity of the Iron trade in Great Britain owes its great 

 success, this proximity and association tending to concentrate 

 and centralize capital and labour. 



These conditions are remarkably exemplified in the Coal 

 Basins of Bristol, Forest of Dean, and South Wales, but in no 

 one area is the succession of rocks and associated mineral deposits 

 more clearly ascertained or determinable than the one now under 

 consideration, and scarcely any area until lately has been so little 

 examined or understood on economical grounds. 



Sketch of the History of Iron WorTcings, &e., in the County. — 

 The working or mining for, and the manufacture of Iron, has 

 evidently been carried on in this immediate district from a 

 remote period, for in many places in the neighbourhood of Iron 

 Acton, Frampton, and Eangeworthy we meet with the remains 

 of smelting-heaths, forges, or old blomaries, which occur in 

 the form of scoriae mounds, slag heaps, &c. And from the 

 circumstance that the masses of slag, scoriae, cinders, &c. are 



