278 RETURN TO ENGLAND. 



advantages in Costa Kica mines over every other in South 

 America. I think it would not be amiss for you to bring with 

 you a few specimens, and after you have seen the Cornish mines 

 and miners I doubt not but we shall be able to state facts in so 

 clear a light that the first blow well aimed will be more than 

 half the battle, and prove a complete knock-down blow, which 

 in my opinion ought to be completed previous to your opening 

 your mining speculation in general in London. I have made a 

 very complete model of the gun, and it is approved of by all who 

 have seen it. Be so good as to remember me to the lads and 

 the Manilla man, and write me by return of post. I have not 

 as yet made any inquiry about the probability of getting ad- 

 venturers for this new concern. I hope and trust that I shall 

 see you in Cornwall previous to our being together in London, 

 as it is my opinion that the nature of the concern requires it. 



" I remain, Sir, 



" Your humble servant, 



(Signed) "EiCHAED TREVITHICK. 

 " MR. JNO. GERARD, 

 " No. 42, St. Mary Axe, London."" 



Trevithick's hopeful character enabled him to enjoy 

 life in the midst of neglect and poverty. During the 

 eleven years of absence in America his wife and family 

 received 110 assistance from him. Shortly after leaving 

 his Quebrada-honda mountains of gold and silver, he 

 was penniless at Carthagena. On reaching England 

 he possessed nothing but the clothes he stood in, a gold 

 watch, a drawing compass, a magnetic compass, and a 

 pair of silver spurs. His passage-money being unpaid, 

 a chance friend enabled him to leave the ship. In a 

 month from that time he counted on getting a share of 

 the 500,000. saved in the Cornish mines by the im- 

 provements he had effected in their steam-engines. The 

 ringing of bells and the talk of the neighbourhood 

 made him forget that he was a poor man, and the 

 Costa Rica mines were, he believed, soon to be in full 



