66 Geology of Massachusetts. 
of wealth and contentment, than-the precious metals which the earth 
embosoms.” But, however political economy might decide these 
questions, I suppose there are few individuals who would willingly 
shut their eyes upon gold mines; and therefore 1 have made these 
suggestions on the subject, to prevent expenditure upon useless and 
ill-planned projects, in search of this precious metal. 
Idle search after Gold and Silver. 
Were the history of the wild and ill-directed efforts that have been 
made, even in Massachusetts, in search of the precious metals, to be 
written, it would furnish many striking illustrations of the importance 
of your Excellency’s suggestions. Permit me here to state a few 
facts on the subject. 
The large quantities of the precious metals carried to Europe from 
South America, soon after its discovery, naturally produced some 
expectation of finding similar treasures here. But I cannot learn 
that our forefathers expended large sums in making excavations, 
where there was no reasonable prospect of finding any thing valua- 
ble. It was reserved for their descendants to exhibit a credulity 
and superstitious ignorance on the subject, that are both lamentable 
and ridiculous. 
Perhaps, at the present day, a belief in the mysterious virtues af. the 
mineral rod, is the most common of these delusions. Probably many 
of our intelligent citizens can hardly credit the statement, that there 
are men in various parts of the state, who profess not a little skill in 
this enchantment, and are not unfrequently sent for, one or two days 
journey, to decide whether there be ore or springs of water in a par- 
ticular place. In general, but not always, these professors of divina- 
tion belong to the most ignorant classes in society; for not long since, a 
venerable and respectable man of good education, sincérely thought it 
his duty occasionally to peregrinate with his divining rod, because it 
would work in his hands; and not a few very intelligent men have a 
secret belief, that the branches of a witch hazel are attracted down- 
ward towards mineral substances, when in the hands of a certain in- 
dividual. | ee 
The following train of circumstances often takes place. A man, 
ignorant of mineralogy, finds upon his farm, a specimen of iron py- 
rites, or yellow mica, or galena, which he mistakes for gold or silver. 
Even if he shows it toa mineralogist and is told that he is mistaken, 
he suspects that his informant is deceiving him, in the hope of getting 
