XIV. On the Economy of the Mines of Cornwall and Devon, 

 By John Taylor, Mem. Geo). Soc. 



T. 



HE miners of many countries have engaged the care and 

 attention of their governments, and have received support from 

 national treasuries, or grants and immunities operating in favor of 

 such undertakings. In some instances officers regularly educated 

 to the profession of mining, are appointed and paid by the state 

 for managing the executive departments. With such advantages it 

 is probable that poorer mines may be worked, than in countries 

 destitute of them, and where they must be undertaken entirely at 

 private risk ; yet it is found that the enterprize and ingenuity of 

 individuals is equal to very considerable efforts, and that their cal- 

 culations of real profit are often more unquestionable than in 

 government undertakings. 



If the spirit which is excited by the prospect of gain can be in- 

 fused into a great portion of the persons employed on any object of 

 this sort ; and if the interest of the proprietors of mines can be 

 made to go hand in hand with that of their workmen in their ope- 

 rations, a great degree of united effort may be reasonably expected 

 to follow such a system, which being advantageous to all parties in 

 proportion to their exertion, enlists at once their combined efforts 

 into the service of the common good. 



