344 - Quicksilver Mines of Idriu if! Illyria. 



rious ores, which produced 17,070 cjuititals and 54 pounds of 

 quicksilver. Hence th.c mcdiani will he 8,(516 of quicksilver for 

 the quintal; which, at the regulated price of ISOAristiian florins 

 per quintal, gives a surn of 2,219,945 florins, or 5,740,463 

 francs. 



Of this quantity of metal there was actually delivered into the 

 magazines the following quantities of quicksilver or of mercurial 

 preparations: viz. 



14,194 quintals 25 poimds quicksilver 



702 25 ciinial)p.r 



2,700 . 29 verunlion 



24 ■ 50 corrosive sublimate 



64 ; — . . calomel 



25 67 — ■- — red precipitate 



Total 17,713 96 



All the expenses of the establishment amou.nt to 800,000 

 francs per annum ; and by balancing the receipts with the ex- 

 penditure the average annual profits v.ill be 713,409 francs. 



There are about 700 miners, 300 wood-cutters, and nearly 

 600 pensioners, including widows and children. The pensions 

 alone amount to 50,000 francs per annum. 



The payment of the workmen of every description is made 

 partly in kind and partly in money. By reflecting for an instant 

 on this mode of ]>aying the working classes, it will be seen 

 how wise the views were of those who founded the cstal)lishment. 

 This method unites the double advantage of attaching the work- 

 men and keeping at all times the price of labour at a low price, 

 and always the same. 



The administration wliich furnishes them with corn, obtains 

 it at moderate prices in consequence of the great consumption ; 

 and as it is dealt out to the people employed, at a price which 

 has not varied since it has formed part of tJieir wages, the work- 

 men have had at no time any pretext for an increase of salary. 



This beneficent administration is extended to the children of 

 both sexes, and at the same price as to the workmen. In the case 

 of the male infants, the distribution takes place until they are 

 fourteen, and the girls are served until they are twelve; because 

 at these re^pective ages both sexes can be admitted to various 

 occupations connected with the mines. To those who from age 

 or infirmity are m.able to work, the distribution of corn is con- 

 tinued thioughout life. 



All the |)ersnus employed, and workmen after a certain num- 

 ber of years of service, or >-uch as become infirm, enjoy pensions, 

 which are continued to their widows, and to their children until 

 they are able to work for themselves. From 



