16 A Geticrnl Viviv of the 



Department of Orme. 



No coal mines arc worked in tliis country. A great many 

 indications have been announced, and some of them de- 

 serve to be examined, particularly that in the environs of 

 Secz, at Fontaineriaut, which has already been partially 

 worked, and afforded some hopes. 



Department of Ourthe. 



This country (33) is one of the richest in coals in Eu- 

 rope, and the mines have been worked since the earliest 

 periods. A great many coals are dug up in the neighbour- 

 hood of Liege, and even within the precincts of that city the 

 pits are carried to a great depth ; and powerful machines are 

 employed to clear these immense cavities of water, and to 

 draw up the coals. 



The product of these mines is estimated at 43 millions 

 of myriagrammcs. They furnish coals of every kind. The 

 mean price of those of a good quality is ten cents per my- 

 Tiagramme at the pits. 



The coal mines in the department of Ourthe ought to 

 supply Batavia; at least in competition with the English 

 mines. If the suppression of the numerous tolls which 

 shackle the navigation of the Meuse is strictly maintained, 

 it will secure this advantage to the country of Liege. 



Department of the Pas-de-Calais. 



The coal mines of Hardinghen (34), seven leagues north- 

 east of the port of Boulogne, are the principal ones worked 

 in this department. The annual product of the mines in 

 this department amounts to from six to nine millions of 

 myriagrammcs. The coals in general are not of so good a 

 quality as those of the departments to the north of Jem- 

 mappes; but mixed with a little of these coals they are of 

 excellent use for forges : when delivered at the ports of 

 Boulogne, Gravelines, and Dunkirk, they are sold for eight 

 cents per myriagramme. 



Department of the Pmj-de-Do7ne. 

 _ The cantons of Montgie, Brassac, Auzat-sur-Allier {35) 

 situated above the Issoire, exhibit several important coal 

 mines, worked for a long time, and particularly those of 

 Sallcs, Combelle, and Barre. That of Grosmcnil, which 

 liad been long abandoned on account of its being inundated 

 with water, has been lately resumed by a company who 

 have found means to overcome this difficulty. The pro- 

 ducts of these coal mines amount to about a million of 



myriagrammcs 



