52 Mr H. M. Stoker on the China-stone 
Having thus briefly given a general outline of the nature, | 
composition, and history of these clays, I shall proceed to 
the notice of the mode of preparation of them in this county, 
which, though simple in theory, requires much care and at- 
tention in its execution, and consists essentially in the sepa- 
ration of the quartz from the mica and kaolin, and the sub- 
sequent collection of the latter. The execution of this pro- 
cess in any of the extensive works in St Stephen’s parish, 
one of which would cover from 10 to 13 acres of ground, and 
from which 2000 to 3000 tons are annually raised, and fitted 
for the market, forms a curious and interesting spectacle of 
whitewashed, happy industry, for the contemplation of the 
traveller during the months of summer. 
Distant from five to eight miles from St Austell, situated 
in the centre of barren, rugged, heathery wilds, inclosed by 
stone walls, and bounded on every side by cold, bleak, and ~ 
rugged hills, these works have a very picturesque appear- 
ace. In one part of them may be seen from 30 to 40 men, 
boys, and women, who, with their white bonnets, white aprons 
and sleeves, carry the still whiter clay, in large junks, to the 
surrounding hills or drying grounds, to be exposed to the 
warm rays of the sun, the dry winds, and the bleaching power 
of the air; in another may be seen other parties scraping the 
clay, prior to its being packed in casks, to be sent to various 
parts of the old and new world. Circular or oval pits and 
square pans are lying in all directions; their continuity here 
and there disturbed by one or two water-wheels in incessant 
motion, or piles of dried clay covered with reeders, or lying 
in sheds ; while at one extremity of the work may be seen a 
number of men and boys employed in excavating the clay 
stope, removing the overburden, or shearing the stope to 
wash away its clay; the sand at the same time being re- 
moved to the drying ground by means of a tram-road, the 
waggons passing along which are worked by the aid of water- 
power; while over head launders attached to pumps for va- 
rious purposes seem to form a skeleton roof to the whole. 
The beds of clay stope are exposed by the removal of the 
overburden, which varies in thickness; in some places lying 
but a few feet from the surface, while in others the only bed 
