1852.] OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 209 
small quantity, it may yet by skilful manipulation be extracted with 
advantage ; and in these days of gold-mining adventure, it is to be 
feared, that many may be led by this consideration to believe that 
wherever gold is found, there is a favourable field for mining enterprize. 
But it must*not be forgotten, that it is not merely a question of the 
occurrence of gold in any given district, but whether it is present in 
sufficient quantity to admit of profitable extraction. If it were 
necessary,— as I am credibly informed it would be in one locality,— 
to expend a sovereign in order to extract sixteen shillings’ worth of 
gold, dividends would be expected in vain. 
*« The consumption of gold in the Arés is an interesting subject of 
inquiry. A very large amount of that which is thus applied is 
irrecoverably lost,— as, for instance, the gold employed for gilding 
with gold leaf, and that used in ornamenting china. Some idea of 
the extent of this loss may be formed, from the fact that one gold. 
beater will consume many thousand pounds’ worth of gold annually, 
and there is one manufacturer of china who consumes annually not 
less than £2000 worth of gold. There is also a large consumption 
of gold in what is called the gilt-toy manufacture. It seems probable 
that if the metal should become much more abundant, its applications 
in the Arts would be proportionately extended. 
“‘ Gold after all does not constitute the true riches of a nation. 
On account of its hitherto comparatively rare occurrence and gradual 
supply, it has been well selected as the conventional representative of 
wealth. It is a very beautiful metal and is well adapted to the 
various purposes of ornament to which it is applied; but in respect 
to intrinsic excellence it will not compare with iron. A golden 
needle would be a poor substitute for one of polished steel, and no 
ordinary skill would be required to operate upon a tender joint with 
a golden knife. Iron-stone and coal, with conditions favourable to 
their being worked, are more to be desired than the treasures of an 
El Dorado; and probably the most important, though distant result 
of the discovery of gold in California and Australia, will be that of 
developing the natural resources of those great countries, by attracting 
the tide of emigration to their shores.” 
{Fs Pa 
In the Library were exhibited : — 
Four Specimens of Gold in Quartz from Ballard Diggins, near Port 
Philip, Australia. [Exhibited by R. Brooks, Esq. } 
Baillie’s Patent Volute Springs, with Model of Railway Carriage. 
[Exhibited by Mr. Howard. ] 
Specimens of Silicious Conglomerate from Hertfordshire, and of 
Krokidolite. [Exhibited by Mr. Tennant. ] 
Manufactures in Imitation-Ivory and Protean Stone, by Mr. Che- 
verton. 
Q 
