e/ mavu/aeluring Tin Plate. 367 



less owing to their vicinity to the tin mines in the circle of Ersge- 

 birg, which, next to those of Cornwall, are the largest in Europe. 

 The ore whicli is found there is not the tin pyrites, but the mi- 

 neral called tin-stune ; and it is curious that it should occur in 

 abundance both on the Bohemian and Saxon sides of the moun- 

 tain group: accordingly, manufactories of tinned iron have been 

 established in both those kingdoms. Alluvial deposits of grain- 

 tin are also found in the same vicinity. 



From the time of the invention of tin-plate to the end of the 

 seventeenth century, not only England, but also the whole of 

 Europe depended upon the manufactures of Bohemia and Saxony 

 for their supply. However, about the year 1665 one Andrew 

 Yarranton, encouraged by some persons of property, undertook 

 to go over to Saxony to acquire a knowledge of theart — and on 

 his return, several parcels of tin-plate were made of a superior 

 quality to those which we had been accustomed to import from 

 Saxony; but owing to some unfortunate and unforeseen circum- 

 stances, which are all detailed by Mr. Yarranton *, the manu- 

 factory was not at that time established in any part of Great 

 Britain. 



As it is now difficult to procure a copy of the work from which 

 I have obtained a knowledge of the manner in which this manu- 

 factory was brought into England, an abridgement of the author's 

 own account of the transaction may perhaps be interesting to 

 •ome of the members of the Society. 



"Knowing," says Mr.Yarranton, " the usefulness of tin-plates, 

 and the goodness of our metals for that purpose, I did (about six- 

 teen years since f) endeavour to find out the way for making 

 thereof; whereupon, I acquainted a person of much riches, and 

 one that was very understanding in the iron manufacture; who 

 was pleased to say, that he had often designed to get the trade 

 into England, but never could find out the way. Upon which 

 it was agreed, that a sum of monies should be advanced 

 by several persons, for the defraying njy charge of travelling to 

 the place where these plates were made ; and from thence to 

 bring away the art of making them. Upon which, an able fire- 

 man, that well understood the whole nature of iron, was made 

 choice of to accompany me ; and being fitted with an engenious 

 interpreter, that well understood the language, and that had 

 <lealt irmch in that commodity, we marched first for Hamburg, 



• *' England's Improvement by Sea and Land," \vith many plates of Plans, 

 Charts, &c. in two parts, by Andrew Yarranton, Gent. Part I. Quarto' 

 London. 1677. Part II. London, 1681. 



t This account is dated February 2, 1681 ; I therefore conclude that Mr. 

 y«rrwiton's journey to Saxony mum have been about the year 1665, 



thru 



