O BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



When we penetrate the dark and subterraneous 

 magazine of Nature, v\e find veins fraught with the 

 richest Metals; from hence conies that which gives 

 value to the monarch's crown, and weight to his 

 sceptre ; which, formed into coins, gives energ} and 

 life to traffic, rewards the toils of labour, and puts it 

 in the power of the affluent to warm the bosom oi ad- 

 versity, and make the widow and the orphan sing 

 for joy, or, beaten out into an inconceivable thin- 

 ness, is made to cover with a transcendant lustre 

 some of the coarest of nature's productions, and ren- 

 der them ornamental in the palace of the great. 



Here also is laid up the pale brightness of the 

 Silver, which, formed into a variety of domestic uten- 

 sils, sets off with peculiar lustre the choicest dainties 

 of the rich man's table; and here is found the pon- 

 derous Lead, from which the cool and clean cistern 

 is formed, as well as those convenient and safe 

 aqueducts, by which the useful element of water is 

 conveyed into the very hearts of our dwellings. 

 Here too are stores of Copper and Tin, by which 

 sundry utensils, formed of the former metal, are 

 rendered more safe and fit for use: and here do we 

 find in profuse abundance Mines, whose contents, 

 although they may not be reckoned of equal value, 

 have been found to b^ more beneficial in their ser- 

 vices to man, th:in any of those already mentioned. 

 Iron furnishes the mechanic, the artist, and the la- 

 bourer with their most useful implements and tools; 

 by Iron the firmer is enabled to tear up the most 

 stubborn soil; Iron secures our dwellings from the 



