BOOK II. CHAP. XI. H3 



equal to fomc of thofe that are efteemed the of firft clafs in Europe ; 

 the matrix in which they are engaged anfwcring botli to the ham- 

 mer and fire with equal eafe. Two mines were worked tor i'omc 

 time in the Liguanea Mountains ; but neitlier of them produced 

 any thing correipondent to the charges that attended tliem. The 

 undertaking was too important for two private men of no very ca- 

 pital fortunes; and perhaps they required the management of per- 

 fons more experienced in the procefs. It ferved only to convince the 

 curious, thatfuch metals were to be found here; and thi?, I appre- 

 hend, is all the advantage that accrued, either to the proprietors, or 

 to the publick. Yet one of thefe mines w as laid to have produced ; 

 nolefs than a ton per week ; but perhaps this was only a bubble re- 

 port, or the harveft was foon at an end. Schemes of this kind 

 are moll fuccefsfully carried on by large companies, or aflbciations; 

 whofe feveral flocks united would bear the contingent expence, till 

 the work is brought to anfwer. But there has been fuch a mul- 

 titude of frauds and knavifh pradiices committed, from time to 

 time, in mining-adventures, that fuch projeds are not at prefeut 

 likely to meet with any countenance. It is, however, to be re- 

 gretted, that the copper and lead mines in this ifland had not been 

 more effedlually profecutedj becaufe, upon the computation that 

 every fugar eflate, which produces one hundred hogfheads per 

 annum, muft be at a certain expence oi b^ I. per annum for coppef 

 and lead alone, it will appear, that the ifland expends 45,000/., or 

 thereabouts, every year, in thefe articles, which might be faved. 

 The Spaniards certainly were more intelligent, or met with 

 better fuccefs ; for the bells, which hung in the Great Church at St. 

 Jago de la V^ega when the Englifh took pofleffion, were call of 

 copper produced in the ifland. Lead ore likewife abounds here, 

 richly impregnated with filver, which renders the folution of it in 

 aqua forth milky ; but it is not found in any regular bodied veins, 

 which, among other reafons, obliged the gentlemen, who had been 

 engaged in the lead-works of Liguanea, to drop the undertaking, 

 after they had been at a great expence in building a very compleat 

 fet of works, and carried on the manufadlure for fome time. The 

 ore, when in fermentation with aqua forth, throws up a confidc- 

 rable quantity of fulphur; and hence it has been conje(5tured, that 



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