Mr. John Tajlor's P/osjJccius of a School of Mines. 137 



The eighth and concluding Number of this work, in addition 

 to the descriptions given in it, contains a general catalogue of 

 Javanese Birds, arranged in the museum of the East India 

 Companj'. And now, having presented our readers with a 

 full analysis of Dr. Horsfield's Zoological Researches, it only 

 remains for us to express our wishes that we may soon have 

 occasion to review some further results of his valuable labours. 



XX. Proceediiigs of Learned Societies. 



Prospectus of a School of Mines in Coni'wall. By John 

 Taylor, Esq. F.ll.S. Treas. Geol. Soc* 



T^HE progress of improvement in the art of mining has 

 -'- been exceedingly rapid, in some parts of England, during 

 the last twenty years, and it might be cui-ious ant! interesting 

 to endeavour to trace the causes of this advanced state of a 

 science which embraces so many others, and which has to con- 

 tend with so many natural difficulties. Much must be owing 

 to a more general diffusion of knowledge, and to a better un- 

 derstanding both of practical details, and of the ceconomy of 

 their application ; the growth of capital has afforded the means 

 for exertion, increasing difficulties have stimulated that exer- 

 tion, and intelligence and an improved acquaintance with na- 

 tural science has made it effective. 



Fifty years ago the mines of Cornwall were nearly at a 

 stand, and no power existed by which they could be carried 

 deeper and their richness further explored. The history of 

 the steam-engine will show that mining encouraged the first 

 inventors, or improvers, of this wonderful machine to pursue 

 their labours, and that while the mines tended to produce what 

 has so much benefited all classes of manufacture, they gained, 

 in their turn, not only the direct power which this new auxi- 

 liary at once afforded them, but many ingenious men were 

 associated with the managers of the deeper mines, whose spe- 

 culations and inventions acted by a twofold influence to ex- 

 tend the means and to enlarge the intelligence of those who 

 were occupied in enterprises of this kind. 



Such, probably, are some of the causes which have given an 

 impulse to the improvements in the art of mining; and I have, 

 as I believe, during an accjuaintance with the subject, and with 

 some of the principal persons connected with mines, in the 

 last twenty-six years, often remarked the workings of these in- 



• This Prospectus lias lieen circulated amouf; those who are [)rincipaiiy 

 concerned in mining pursuits: we insert it, as we tliink the public cannot 

 fail to take an interest in the success of the proposed establishment. 



Vol. GG, No. 328, ^«i'. 1825. S (luences. 



