of the Mines of Cornwall and Devon. 323 



as to the amount of labour which can be afForded to all the different 

 varieties, and it has become therefore the common practice to re- 

 gulate these processes by a constant reference to the assay, which 

 prevents a waste of metal on the one hand, or a useless expence on 

 the other. 



4. The purchase of the Materials employed for carrying on the 



undertaking. 



This part of the economy of the mines of Cornwall has been cen- 

 sured, inasmuch as the concerns are often supplied by a part of the 

 adventurers who are dealers in the articles required, and who there- 

 fore have a concurring interest in allowing exorbitant prices and an 

 unlimited consumption. 



Where the majority of the property of a mine is in the hands of 

 those who look to their contracts for the supply of materials as a source 

 of profit, no check can well be devised to guard the interest of the 

 other adventurers, and it might become a question with any person 

 about to engage in a mine under such circumstances. But where 

 the mercantile part of the adventurers hold a smaller part of the 

 property, contracts of this sort, and the appointment of agents 

 being under the controul of the majority, they may easily take 

 measures to secure the purchase of all articles at a fair price, with- 

 out depriving their fellow adventurers of that preference which 

 their interest in the mine fairly entitles them to. 



5. The Sale of the Ores from the Mine Adve?iturers to the 



Smelting Companies, 



Tin ores are smelted in Cornwall at smelting-houses belonging to 

 different persons who are likewise generally adventurers in tin mines. 



2 s 2 



