196 N A T U R A L HISTORY of NOR WA T. 



SECT, , IX. 



The Seiboe The Selboe copper-work lies fix Norway miles earl ward from 

 Drontheim, and was difcovered in the year 171 2. The ore at 

 firft had a greater mixture of ftone and fulphur than at prefent, 

 for it is now arrived to greater purity. It is carried, the diftance 

 of three Norway miles, to Mollenaa, where three foundaries are 

 erected. Seven fhip-pounds and a half of pure copper are ex- 

 tracted from a hundred tain of ore. Which, of the before- men- 

 tioned copper- works, the curious M. de la Martimire took a view 

 of, I know not, and much lefs with what truth he could mention 

 a filver-mine within two Norway miles of it ; this indeed, throws 

 a fuipicion upon his whole narrative. However, I fhall here in- 



Tom. in. f er t it from Happel's tranflation in Mundo mirabili. 



L. xix. c. 2. l l 



" Upon our arrival at Drontheim, we waited on the fuperin- 

 tendant-general of the mines, to deliver him our letters, and de- 

 fired that our corn might be unloaded with all convenient dis- 

 patch ; but his anfwer was, that all his inferior officers being at 

 the mines he muft fend a meffenger thither, before our bufinefs 

 could be tranfacted. Upon this I defired our captain's leave to 

 go along with the meffenger, which being readily granted, we fet 

 out early the next morning on horfeback, and came to Steckby, 

 a large town fix Norway miles from Drontheim, where we 

 thought it advifable to fpend that night, which was coming on 

 fo early as about three o'clock, for we were to pafs through a 

 large wood, infefted by wolves, bears, and linxes, which being 

 very ravenous, made it more dangerous to travel in the dark. 

 We were mounted by break of day to continue our journey to 

 the mine, and about dufk reached the founderies, where, accord- 

 ing to the cuftom of the country, we were liberally entertained 

 with great plenty of beer, brandy, and tobacco. It was my good 

 fortune here to meet with an officer, who having attended a Nor- 

 way nobleman in his travels, fpoke very good French. I told 

 him, that a curiofity of feeing the mines had brought me thither, 

 and that I mould take it very kindly, if he would be pleafed to 

 aflift me in it, which he promifed I might depend on the very 

 next day, and after cementing our acquaintance with a hearty 

 carouzal, we betook ourfelves to bed. The meffenger who left 

 1 me 



