SI 2 Mr. Taylor on the Economy 



The lord grants a lease or set for 21 years, reserving a power to put 

 an end to the term, if the mine should not be effectually worked ; 

 he likewise agrees for a certain proportion of the ores to be de- 

 livered to him on the mine in a merchantable stare, or their value in 

 money : he provides for a power of inspecting the works at all 

 times, and binds the adventurers to maintain and leave at any de- 

 termination of their grant all the shafts, adits, and levels, perfect, 

 and in good condition, as to timber, where required. 



The proportions of ore paid to the land-owner, called the lortTs 

 dues, vary considerably, according to the circumstances of different 

 mines, and the nature of the prospects under which they may be 

 undertaken. A deep old mine which has been abandoned, is un- 

 dertaken with a chance of less profit and a certainty of greater risk, 

 than a new and promising discover)\ In the first case encourage- 

 ment is often held out, by fixing very moderate dues, while in the 

 other, so much is too frequently demanded and given, as to prevent 

 that share of profit accruing to the adventurers which is due to the 

 great risk constantly attendant on all mining pursuits. 



In the deep expensive mines the lord's dues do not often exceed a 

 fifteenth or eighteenth part of the whole produce of ore, and some- 

 times they do not amount to more than a twenty-fourth, or even a 

 thirty-second proportion. 



In the newer mines the dues are often as much as a tenth or twelfth 

 part of the produce, and there are mines which pay an eighth ; but 

 this is the case only in -auch as were undertaken when tlie prices of 

 metals were much higher than at present, and where an unusual pro- 

 duce has enabled the concerns to exist in spite-of such a heavy deduc- 

 tion from their produce. The dues are delivered to the lord, or to 

 his assent on the mine, free of all expense, or are commuted fcr a 

 proportionate part of the money arising from the sale of the whole. 



