TIN OBTAINED FROM CORNWALL. 45 



about nine parts of the former to one of the latter ; and the 

 question therefore arises, whence were these metals obtained? 

 Copper is found in so many countries, that we cannot, as 

 yet, form any definite opinion as to the source, or sources, from 

 which it was derived by the Phoenicians. Nevertheless, we 

 have every reason to hope, and expect, that we shall even- 

 tually be able to do so, because the slight impurities by which 

 it is accompanied, are different in different places, and Dr. 

 Fellenberg has published more than a hundred analyses 

 of ancient bronzes, which have already thrown some light 

 on this part of the subject. As regards tin, the case is 

 very different ; although ores of this metal are found in 

 other countries, as for instance in Saxony, and near 

 Nerchinsk, in Siberia, still almost all the tin now used is 

 derived either from Cornwall, or from the island of Banca, 

 which lies between Sumatra and Borneo. It has been 

 supposed that tin was at one time abundant in Spain, 

 but as Dr. Smith observes,* "the most remarkable fea- 

 ture in tin mining seems to be the enduring character of 

 the mines. Wherever tin has been produced in any con- 

 siderable quantities, within the range of authentic history, 

 there it is still abundantly found. In Banca, we are told, 

 the supply is inexhaustible ; and Cornwall can now supply as 

 large a quantity annually as it ever could." The result 

 of enquiries made of the Government Engineers, at the 

 College of Mines in Madrid, is as follows : "I cannot learn 

 that Spain ever produced any quantity of this metal. The 

 Government do not work any mines of tin. The quantity 

 being produced at present is very small, chiefly by streamers ; 

 or rather labourers, while out of their regular employment, 

 search some of the rivers near the granite hills in Galicia 

 and in Zamora. I cannot learn that there is any tin mining 

 in the country." 



* l.c-. p. 45. 



