INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xxxi 



' shining metal, extremely minute. This is, I presume, suffi- 

 ' cient to encourage perseverance. 



" I would propose, after having penetrated to the depth of 50 

 ' or 60 feet, and after carefully examining every strata of earth, 

 ' &c. to commence cutting directly down the ravine, (as our pit 

 'is on the top of a hill 250 feet high),* by which means we 

 ' shall be able to explore with great exactness the properties of 

 ' the interior. This, and a scrupulous examination of the matter 

 ' that may be found, would consume several weeks: but such 

 ' an examination cannot be accomplished in any other way." 



3d November, 1810. — Accompanying this I send specimens of 

 ' .stones found at 27 feet deep. Most of them have veins of ore 

 ' running horizontally ; and at this depth the vein of stone has 

 ' changed to the red sort. It is capable of a very high polish. 

 ' The earth with which they are incrusted is .soft and yellow ; 

 ' but I do not perceive any indications of metal ; although they 

 ' still correspond with some memoranda I have in my possession. 



* I therefore trust we may soon be satisfied as to the existence 

 ' of valuable ore in this spot." 



16th November, 1810. — " By the accompanying specimens, 

 ' you will readily perceive I have been very successful in making 

 ' the experiments you desired. I send the calcareous spar of 

 ' Turk's Cap Valley in three different stages : the first is in 

 ' powder, and dry ; the second, slaked ; and the third, mixed 

 ' with water to the consistency of common mortar : when dried, 



* it is susceptible of the highest polish. 



" The last specimen of ore that I got from the pit is by far the 

 ' most promising; for upon bruising a soft yellow stone, the 

 ' whole of the veins produced an ore of a silver appearance. I 



* It is probable that these researches might have been more successful, if the pit, or 

 shaft, had commenced at the foot of tlie hill, instead of the summit. 



