oj a School oj Mines in Coi nivall. 1 i 1 



machinery, before unnecessary, must be applied and depended 

 upon. The mines of distant countries are passing into the 

 hands of Enghsh possessors, and they must rely more or less 

 for their success upon the talents of the agents they employ. 

 A School of Mines will not only be the means of instructing 

 such agents, but it will be a place where chax'acter will be de- 

 veloped, and as it were put upon record ; — it will be a point 

 to look to by those who require good agents, and it would in 

 time become most valuable, as such, to all those who are either 

 concerned in mines in the district where the establishment may 

 be, in those of other parts of the United Kingdom, or to 

 those numerous companies who are embarking their capital 

 in distant parts of the world. I may, I think, without chance 

 of disappointment, invite the attention of all who are thus en- 

 gaged to the subject, and recommend it to tlieir effective 

 support. 



That the mines should be skilfully and properly worked is 

 no less the interest of the land-owner than of the adventurer ; 

 and 1 need hardly say more than this to recommend such an 

 institution to their patronage, knowing, as I do, from many 

 of the highest rank, that they are willing and anxious to af- 

 ford it. 



If I have undertaken the task of showing how I think such 

 a plan may be carried into effect, it is not because I wish to 

 dictate any particular scheme, or to originate a measure which 

 I desire most earnestly to promote ; but because I have been 

 invited to do it by those whose judgement I most highly re- 

 spect, and who have thought that from my connexion with 

 their concerns I may be able to draw an outline which may 

 serve to elucidate the design and promote its execution. I 

 regret that the pressure of arduous business has delayed my 

 exertions in this cause, and on many accounts I fear that my 

 efforts will be very inadequate to the importance of the un- 

 dertaking. 1 proceed, however, to detail my views of the 

 mode in which such an institution may be established and 

 conducted. 



I propose to arrange the detail under the following heads : 



1. The things most proper to be taught. 



2. The class of [)ersons who may be expected to be 



scholars. 



3. The professors. 



4. The situation of a School of Mines. 



5. The probable expense of the institution. 



G. The means of providing the necessary funds. 

 7. The government or direction. 



1. The 



