1845.] and Dhanpoor Copper mines in Gherwal. 47o 



his own coal-burners for working up such wood as remained from the 

 other burners, saving thus the outlay for cutting down the trees. 

 The lessee would have always charcoal enough, even for a large 

 establishment, or several of them, for if the inhabitants see they can 

 obtain a constant livelihood they will take care not to waste wood- 

 Provision however for the renewal of the forest must always be 

 made for the sake of future cheapness. I think too labor could 

 be obtained cheaper than in England, even if the greater skill and 

 bodily strength and good-will of European workmen is taken in 

 account. The old smelter in Dhanpoor may be compared with the 

 most skilful smelters any where. I believe now to have shown 

 the possibility (and probability) of turning to advantage the riches 

 of Pokree ; the copper could support the concurrence of the English 

 copper in the lower hills and part of the plains, and would have ad- 

 vantages over it, in the higher interior, and in such places at the foot of 

 the hills where the English product cannot reach by mere water car- 

 riage. 



The Dhanpoor mines, or holes, are worked to advantage, and no doubt 

 could be made more so ; but perhaps it would take more trouble to 

 find the layer of copper than in Pokree. What till now is opened 

 would under European superintendence be entirely exhausted in the 

 course of one year or two. It is possible the layer may turn out to be a 

 regular dyke, but I suppose it will not be so, but might be cut off by 

 slate at no very great depth. The working on a large scale would be 

 also more expensive in Dhanpoor than in Pokree, for the ore must be 

 stamped, and washed on moving hearths. However, I will not say, that 

 Dhanpoor mine could not be made, by continued labor, a very rich one. 

 The situation of Dobri mine on the other side of the very same hill 

 range, admits no doubt of the ore's extension ; moreover the steepness 

 of Dhanpoor hill admits shorter galleries and to greater depth. The 

 present mine could not of course be of any use. There are galleries 

 of several fathoms in height and breadth, following upon and preceded by 

 others, which are so low and narrwo, as to admit only children ; and 

 the slope goes downwards, then up again for a few yards, now to 

 the right, then to the left ; &c. A shaft in the mine is only pas- 

 sable for those who do not mind going about in the dress of Adam on 

 the first day of creation, for only the adhesion of the skin to the nearly 



