178 NATURAL HISTORY ^NORWAY. 



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. Silver-mines of more ancieitt times. 



Sect. IV. The prefent floiirifhing fiver-works at Kongjberg. S e c t. V. The 



fiver-works at Jarljberg. S e c t . VI. Copper-works at Noraas. S e c T .VII. The 



like at Meldel, or Lykken. Sect. VIII. Alfa at Einjett, or guikne. 



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- 



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



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



SECT. I. 



oftiiemi»es ^nHAT the lapideous kingdom, in Norway, contains a vaft 

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

 ally in this century, when the breaking, removal, and fufion 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- 

 queftionable, and what further profperity it fhall 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 requisite, as in any undertaking 

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

 diftributes to every generation thofe bleflings, or eftablifhes its 

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

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

 ing wifdom, and ceconomical goodnefs of God, throughout the 

 whole fyfteiTi 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 iixtieth and feventieth de- 

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

 i in 



