of the Mines of Cornwall and Devon. 317 



beliex'ed is peculiar to Cornwall and Devon, and which holds a dis-, 

 tinguiohed place in the economy of the mines, is that of periodically 

 bringing all the work to a kind of public auction. Thus such a de- 

 gree of competition among the workmen is constantly excited as to 

 cause the price of labour always to bear on the whole, a fair pro- 

 portion to the demand, combined with the considerations connected 

 with the varying expenses of living. Thus superior skill and in- 

 dustry have their due advantage ; and thus are the adventurers even 

 guarded in some degree against want of skill in their captains, whose 

 judgment is always corrected by the results of the setting. The 

 only danger to be apprehended is from a combination of the men ; 

 but this is effectually prevented by the captains reserving the power of 

 offering the bargain upon their own terms after the men have ceased 

 to bid, if no one is found to go as low as they deem proper, or to 

 withdraw the bargain altogether. 



The act of contracting with the workmen is called a setting, and 

 this in general takes place at the end of every two months, the 

 auction is denominated a survey, and is held in the open air before 

 the counting-house of the mine, which is generally provided with 

 an elevated stage for the captains to stand on. 



Three descriptions of contracts are put up at the surveys, ac- 

 cording to the kind of labour to be performed, which is compre- 

 hended under the denominations of tutwork^ tribute, and dressing. 



Tutwork includes work done by measure, such as sinking shafts, 

 driving levels, or stoaping ground ; the first being paid for by the ' 

 fathom in depth, the second by the fathom in length, and the 

 third by the cubic or solid fathom. 



Tribute is payment for raising or dressing ore by a certain part of 

 its real value when merchantable, and it is this part of the system 

 that is deserving of most attention, both on account of the excitement 



