of a School of Mines in Cormoall. H7 



consideration; and I wish not to be thought presumptuous 

 when I do so to the principal officers of his Majesty's duchy 

 of Cornwall, to the directors of the Royal Hospital at Green- 

 wich, and generally to those distinguished noblemen and 

 gentlemen whose names are connected with the mines of the 

 empire. 



The third class, from whom I should hope some help might 

 be expected, would be that large number of enlightened indi- 

 viduals who are ready to promote any rational scheme for the 

 extension of scientific knowledge, and particularly those who 

 take part in the studies to which the art of mining conti'ibutes, 

 or to which it is allied. If regular contributions cannot be 

 relied upon to any great extent from such, or ought not per- 

 haps to be expected, yet I may be permitted to I'emind them 

 that in other ways their assistance may be most usefully ex- 

 tended to the institution ; donations of books, of apparatus, 

 of specimens in various departments, may be given, and in 

 many instances impoi'tant advice and information. 



Thei'e is another class of persons, and a most numerous 

 and important one, who perhaps might not think the school 

 unworthy their support, — I mean the smelters of England, and 

 those who are connected with the vai'ious processes of metal- 

 lurgy for which the country is so celebrated. I have proposed 

 that in the course of instruction the principles upon which the 

 assay, the reduction, and the refining of metals depend should 

 be taught, and the different processes elucidated ; and it will 

 only depend upon the means afforded how far this may be ex- 

 tended or how beneficially it may be employed. 



I trust I might look to the proprietors of our great copper 

 smelting works, to the lead and tin smelters, and to many 

 others, for some permanent assistance. 



I will proceed to show that from such extensive sources an 

 income sufficient for the purpose may be derived without be- 

 ing burdensome to any ; and I will first observe that I only 

 calculate the necessary income, because I hope the sum which 

 may be requisite to create the establishment would be readily 

 given in the first instance in the way of donations. 



The value of the soft metals now produced in these king- 

 doms is probably about as follows — 



Copper 1,000,000 



Lead 800,000 



Tin ... ... jl^OO^OO 



Iron, coal, and other products of the mineral kingdom I have 

 no means of estimating, nor, if I had, should 1 be disposed to 



T 2 infer 



