GOLD MILL. 



35 



gradually degenerated into a mine of gold : from 

 that moment the tide of his fortunes turned, and 

 has ever since been on the ebb. This, which at 

 first looks a little paradoxical, is precisely what 

 might be expected, for it is the scarcity of gold, 

 the uncertainty of its extent in any given situa- 

 tion, and the consequent great cost of production, 

 which, while they give it so high an exchange- 

 able value, render mining speculations in gold in- 

 variably hazardous. In these countries, therefore, 

 it has become a common saying, that a diligent 

 man who works a copper mine is sure to gain ; 

 that he who works one of silver may either gain 

 or lose ; but that, if the mine be of gold, he will 

 certainly be ruined. 



The gold mill consists of an upright shaft, or 

 spindle, the lower end of which is fixed to a hori- 

 zontal water wheel, working in a sunk water 

 course ; and giving a rotatory motion to the spin- 

 dle, which passes through the centre of a large 

 circular trough on the ground. In this trough a 

 millstone is carried round upon its edge, on a ho- 

 rizontal axis projecting from the spindle. Small 

 pieces of the ore are thrown into the trough, 



