1 62 ©Toniston '^M'aitx. 



beating down any loose pieces lodged about the sides. They 

 then select the most suitable * lofe,' and recommence boring. 

 Three of these borings and blasts are considered a fair day's 

 work in this hard rock, the men working in * shifts ' of eight 

 hours each. 



And now, having visited the depths of the mines, and 

 witnessed the mostimportant and most common underground 

 operations ; and, moreover, being nearly stifled with powder 

 smoke, you are ready to return to the blessed light of day, 

 and * heaven's untainted breath,' and may clamber up the 

 long ladders by which you descended. And, though you 

 will have seen nothing sufficient to convey an adequate idea 

 of the extent of these mines, for the hills around are almost 

 honey-combed by their works, yet you will know enough to 

 understand the nature of copper mining. 



It is but justice to the management, more especially to 

 those who have the direction of the underground operations 

 of these mines, to call attention to the fact that, considering 

 the number of people employed, and the very dangerous 

 character of the employment, there are remarkably few 

 fatal accidents amongst them, and of those few the greater 

 proportion is occasioned by carelessness, and sometimes by 

 disregard of well-known regulations on the part of the suf- 

 ferers themselves. 



THE LAKE, 

 (lo miles.) 



Coniston Water now boasts of its steamer ; and instead, 

 as of old, taking a small boat and tugging at the oars, you 

 can go to the very water-foot at the cost of no muscle but 

 that of the iron one of a steam engine. 



Having embarked on board the ©onbola (as the steam- 



