204 COSTA RICA. 



In Quebrada-honda they only work on the ground in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of the stream, and that in the most imperfect 

 manner ; but great light has been thrown on the value of the 

 ores on this spot and in the district generally by the progress 

 made in working what is called Padre Arias Mine, which takes 

 its name from an ecclesiastic who first worked it. This mine is 

 situated in low ground near the verge of the stream, and was at 

 first only worked for gold. There were soon, however, indica- 

 tions of silver, which increased progressively in sinking, till at 

 the depth of only 10 yards the influx of water exceeded the 

 means of draining, and the works under water-level were neces- 

 sarily abandoned, at a time when ores were yielding upwards of 

 200 oz. of silver to the ton, a striking proof of the tendency of 

 silver ore to improve in this district as the depth increases. 



"Mr. Eichard Trevithick, that eminent Cornish miner and 

 engineer, so well known for his inventions, and particularly for 

 the .high-pressure steam-engine and the drainage of the Pasco 

 Mines in Peru, when unfortunately civil war burst out in Peru, 

 and the Koyalists, considering those engines as the main in- 

 strument for supplying money to the Independents, rendered 

 them useless by destroying or carrying off some of the most 

 important pieces. 



"Mr. Trevithick having heard favourable reports of the 

 mining district we are now describing, soon after repaired 

 thither, and was so fully impressed with its value and import- 

 ance that he made an extensive contract for different properties, 

 and resided in the country for four years. 



" He is now in England ready to give explicit answers to any 

 inquiries that may be made as to the mineral wealth of Costa 

 Eica, and the extraordinary facilities afforded by its position 

 and natural advantages. An estimate has been made for esta- 

 blishing a complete mining concern in Costa Eica, with houses, 

 iron railroads, stamping mills, &c., so as to raise, stamp, and 

 bring into refined gold the produce contained in 250,000 tons 

 of ore per year. 



" The result of six years' experience shows that the following 

 list of machinery and tools with a few miles of railroad would 

 be sufficient. The communication with the mines being satis- 



