i 7 8 NATURAL HISTORY of N RJFAT. 



CHAP. VIII. 



Of the Metals and Minerals in Norway. 



Sect. I. Of the mines in general. Sect. II. Several gold-mines formerly 

 opened, but difcontinued. Sect. III. Siher-mines of more ancient times. 

 Sect. IV. The prefent fionrijhing fiver-works at Kongjherg. S e c t. V. The 

 f her -works at farljberg. Sect .VI. Copper-works at Noraas. Sect .VII. The 

 like at Meldel, or Lykken. Sect. VIII. Alfo at Einjett, or Quikne. 

 Sect. IX. At Selboe. Sect. X. At Fongdal. Sect. XL In Aardal, and 

 Oedal. Sect. XII. Of Norway-iron in general. Sect. XIII. Account of 

 fever al iron-works. Sect. XIV. Some lead-mines. Sect. XV. §>uick- 

 fiher. Sect. XVI. Sulphur. Sect. XVII. Salt. Sect. XVIII. Vitriol 

 Sect. XIX. Allum. Sect. XX. Oaker, and federal other kinds of dyes. 



S E C T. I. 



of the mines ? | A HAT the Japideous kingdom, in Norway, contains a vail 

 treafure of metals and minerals, is not unknown, efpeci- 

 ally in this century, when the breaking, removal, and fuiion of 

 the filver, copper, iron, and lead, efpecially in the diocefes of Ag- 

 gerhuus and Drontheim, employ many thoufand hands, befides 

 the great profits accruing from them to the proprietors, or fharers, 

 exclufive alfo of the advantages to the peafants and other land- 

 men by burning charcoal, and bringing it to the founderies be- 

 longing to thofe mines. That the ufe and advantage of the Nor- 

 way fubterraneous treafures, has been fo greatly improved within 

 the laft hundred years, that the produce has been doubled, is un- 

 queitionable, and what further profperity it mall pleafe provi- 

 dence to grant to the minors, for their direction and continual 

 progrefs in thefe dark fubterraneous tracts, where the guidance of 

 an all-wife hand is as fenfibly requifite, as in any undertaking 

 whatever, muft be left to him, whofe providence in its own time, 

 difhibutes to every generation thofe bleffings, or eftablimes its 

 welfare on thofe things of which it ftands moft in need ; and 

 there is not a more linking inftance than this, of the fuperintend- 

 ing wifdom, and ceconomical goodnefs of God, throughout the 

 whole fyftem of nature. I know not what account to make of 

 Paracelfus's pompous prediction of a golded age to the northern 

 countries, affirming that betwixt the fixtieth and feventieth de- 

 cree of northern latitude, time mould difplay a ftore of wealth 



in 



