Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 391 



to perform when better times come. Many mines must probably 

 be abandoned if prices do not soon improve ; but in North Wales 

 particularly, I think many valuable concerns may by prudence be 

 supported through an adverse period. Such efforts are worthy our 

 best exertions, and many that I see around me are well qualified to 

 conduct or to encourage them. If there is any thing that I have done 

 since I came among you, or any thing that I can do for the future, 

 which may be thought conducive to so great a purpose ; if humble 

 efforts like mine can assist the public welfare, it is to me the highest 

 gratification to reflect that my labours have been so appreciated, 

 affording the strongest stimulus to future exertion. You have bound 

 me by the firmest ties, you have distinguished me by an expression 

 of your regard, far, I fear, beyond any merit that I can claim ; you 

 have associated my name with an advance in improvement which I 

 am well conscious has been made principally by many other meri- 

 torious individuals, and in which my task has been little more than 

 the pleasing one of approving and encouraging exertions well con- 

 ceived and judiciously executed. Gentlemen, I will appropriate to 

 myself all your kind friendship, your too partial regard; but you 

 will allow me to think, that in this distinguished expression of your 

 approbation you have chosen me to represent a system you approve 

 and principles that are worthy your support. To be such a repre- 

 sentative is sufficient honour for any man^ as it supposes a desire in 

 him to accomphsh useful purposes by proper means ; but while you 

 most kindly have intended me this high token of your regard, you 

 are lending your support to the means which you tell me I have 

 been the humble instrument of introducing to your notice, and re- 

 specting which my most ardent wish is that they may prosper in 

 your hands, and prove most beneficial to a neighbourhood to which 

 1 have so much cause to be attached. You have noticed with kind 

 approbation the benefit of free communication from myself and 

 agents in all matters interesting to our common pursuits. I am 

 hardly conscious in this respect of having done much more than to 

 express my wish to assist in any case where assistance might be 

 useful. The difficulties of mining are so great, that they call fre- 

 quently for sympathy and aid. 1 have during many years had them 

 extended to me by masters in the art ; it is to this friendly feeling 

 that I owe very much of what I know upon the subject, and I have 

 no regard for that ungenerous policy that would seek to profit by 

 the failure of others. 'I'he profit of mining must be sought for in 

 another direction ; and it is one thing above all others that attaches 

 me to the pursuit — that it is not exclusive, but the good that is attained 

 is commonly shared by many. The district in which I have gathered 

 most of my experience, is an example in this respect; and every new 

 invention and every step in improvement is freely communicated and 

 discussed, and the most important benefit has thereby accrued in this 

 mutual interchange of knowledge — it has been habitual therefore to 

 me to give as well as to receive. Cornwall is not singular in this re- 

 spect ; in every part of the Continent, and throughout all Germany 

 where mining has been studied for so many years, and so many prac- 

 tices 



