336 The Philosophical Society of Glasgow. 



bulk ; but so much saving in fuel is effected by the shortness of the 

 process, this cannot constitute a practical difficulty. 



It is matter of much doubt whether the mixture of the poor class 

 ores of home with the rich foreign importations produces the same 

 quality of copper as that smelted entirely from high per centage ores. 

 In Russia, where much fine copper is made, and is a prominent feature 

 in the mercantile interests of that great country, being all smelted from 

 the rich carbonate or malachite ores, even so far back as 1830, 27 

 mines and 200 furnaces were continually employed in the produc- 

 tion of this metal, the annual product being 4,661 tons. In Hamburg, 

 in our own Colonies, in North and South America, and iu fact every- 

 where that copper is smelted without much admixture of the poor with 

 the rich ores, copper of a better quality is the result. Chili, although 

 sending a large quantity of smelted copper, gave to England in 1854 

 12,000 to 15,000 tons of rich ore ; but this quantity has much diminished 

 lately, owing partly to a heavy differential duty. Since then the great 

 proportion is sent to Hamburg and elsewhere, to be smelted alone, by 

 the addition of fusible silicates. 



From these sources all the north part of Germany is supplied, and 

 with better bar copper than can be got in England. The Australian 

 copper, smelted on the spot by Messrs. Schneider, under Mr. Napier's 

 process, is all sent to India. 



It may well be asked, why are the smelters of England behind those 

 of other countries, and how is copper smelting not carried out by the 

 best methods extant? The reason is patent to the world, and 

 notorious. 



MonopoHes in all ages have been hindi'ances to science in every 

 department, and in copper smelting most especially so ; fur since the 

 trade existed, a few rich houses have held the reins, and by large 

 capital determinately opposed any increase of speculation. They have 

 coerced the miner, forcing him to sell on their own terms, accordkig to 

 fixed regulations laid down by their council, and iu all times past have 

 managed to keep the trade in their own hands. They not only com- 

 mand the miner but the manufacturer, the former often receiving pay- 

 ment for his ore before it is smelted, the latter getting long credit, and 

 often becoming so deeply indebted to the smelter, that neither can sell 

 or buy elsewhere. Be this from want of union among themselves, 

 poverty of capital, or other causes, it is quite certain that neither miner 

 or manufacturer have ever been able to act independently, and the clique 

 laugh to scorn any attempt to dislodge them from their dictatorial 

 throne. 



The difficulty of procuring rich foreign ores to mix with the poor 



