GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON 



ages: still, however, it was evident to me that 

 these mines somehow or other must have paid, or 

 else they would not have been worked ; and in spite 

 of the disadvantages which were before my eyes, 

 the natural conclusion was, that if they had once 

 paid, they might surely pay again. 



However, as soon as I afterwards saw a few of 

 the miners at work, the problem was solved. 



The miners who are now in Chili, though toiling 

 in the path of their early days, have probably re- 

 laxed a little from the discipline of the Spaniards ; 

 but the extraordinary manner in which they still 

 work, or rather slave, is almost incredible. The 

 contrast between their lives and the ease and inde- 

 pendence of the rest of the inhabitants of the coun- 

 try, naturally leads the mind to reflect on the sad 

 history of the South American mines ; and this 

 history, in my humble opinion, sufficiently accounts 

 for, 1st, the impossibihty which now exists of get- 

 ting more miners ; and, Sndly, for the important 

 truths, that the American mines have positively 

 fallen in value since the country has been free, be- 

 cause the contents or produce of the mines are still 

 the same, while the value of labour, he. , has ne- 



