the Lead Mines of Missouri, &c. 61 
the first regular shaft—the mining having, till that disrse been 
prosecuted solely by open digging, in the manner of quar- 
ries. r. Austin also introduced the manufacture of shot; 
and that of sheet lead soon followed. About the same time 
several other American families collected at the mines, and 
infused new spirit and enterprize into the mining operations, 
so that they were carried on with considerable vigour at the 
time when (in 1803) the country was transferred to the U- 
nited States. Mr. Schoolcraft, from whom these facts are 
taken, remarks, that since 1804 the number of mines has 
been astonishingly multiplied—population has flowed rapid- 
ly in—the processes on the ore have been much i improved— 
e been constr 3 and “evi 
dding t the > number! of the mines.” te = otis 
pea vast resources of this cout ry oan ile 
ly in lead,” and the author expresses his opinion “gt ts 
mines of Missours are paralleled by no other ees mineral li ‘te 
in the world.” 
From ite specimens which we possess of this ore, and 
from the documents produced by the author ‘Tespecting the 
produce of the mines, we believe his opinion is correct, 
especially if we consider the fact that ‘the earth has not 
yet been penetrated over eighty feet Soult ae kent. not 
what may be found in the lower stra strata.” “Th 
son to believe that the main bodies of ore have ba 
upon, that they lie deeper, and that we have thus 
m_ engaged upon the spurs and detached masses.” 
r. Schoolcraft informs us, that although the mining bu- 
siness is much improved, there is still a great deficiency 
both of capital and ots skill—there is in the whole ese but 
one regular hearth furnace for a and that 
rege pega there are only only four o or five Sar 
. 
wills ther-best: pr prospects in view, have hates in. De se 
abandoned. Yer, under all these disadvantages, the nee 
: ee millions of pounds 
‘of lead. oo se.” 
© author suggests oe cikpedcouineall establishing a 
school of mines and minerals in. the~ midst of the mines 
ss cant 3 this would, without doubt, be a very proj 
measure, but in the mean time, skilful practical m minora aid 
