1 88 Through the Yang-tse Gorges 



The fresh air is driven in through bamboo tubing. Three 

 fans were at work : one at the entrance of the mine, just 

 outside the swinging doors; one at the extremity of the 

 tunnel, looo feet outside; and one closely adjoining the 

 workings. These fans are not needed in winter and are 

 worked in summer only, commencing on the third day of 

 the third moon to the ninth day of the ninth moon — say 

 from April to September inclusive. 



Another incidental expense is of course that for illumina- 

 tion ; this is effected by Tung-oil lamps, one of which each 

 carrier wears on his head and burns ten ounces per shift, 

 the hewers burning six ounces only. According to my 

 informant, this Tung-you is oil derived from the nut of the 

 ElcBococca sinensis, from the smoke of which the soot used 

 to manufacture the so-called Indian ink is obtained; they 

 told me, that were rape or other oil used the men would 

 cough. 



The royalty received by the Tung family for their mine 

 in 1882 amounted to 781 taels, about ;£200. 



The history of the mine is a curious one. It was opened 

 about twenty years ago by a capitalist whose means were 

 exhausted by the time the main tunnel, which runs through 

 1000 feet of sandstone rock and occupied six years in 

 boring, was completed ; he thereupon mortgaged the mine, 

 but, being still in want of funds, sold the mine to the Tungs 

 for 4000 taels, about half its cost, and little more than 

 enough to redeem the mortgage. The mortgagee, who had 

 been expecting to get the mine into his own hands, refused 

 to give it up, and forcibly prevented Mr. Tung from taking 

 possession by stationing armed men round the works. This 

 Mr. Tung naturally resented, and he immediately set about 

 collecting a force wherewith to enter upon his property. 

 Some days later the force was gathered at a farmhouse in 



