68 MINERALOGY. 



dred and fifty-two quintals, twenty-five pounds, and two 

 ounces of mercury were extra6led, and lodged in the royal 

 magazines. This amount being divided among the aforesaid 

 two hundred and nineteen years, will give to each of them an 

 average produdt of four thousand seven hundred and fifty quin- 

 tals, twenty-nine pounds, and five ounces*. 



Under the head of charges and disbursements, eight millions 

 two hundred and eighty thousand six hundred piastres were 

 expended on the mine, and on the processes for the extraction, 

 fusion, &c. of the ores, between the years 1571 and 1748* 

 From the last date to the end of the year 1789, it appears, r 

 by the entries made in the royal books, that there has been an 

 expenditure of the gross sum of two millions three hundred-, 

 and four thousand two hundred and forty-five piastres, and- 

 four reals. The total amount of ten millions five hundred and 

 eighty-seven thousand eight hundred and forty-five piastres 

 four reals, being divided among the two hundred and nine- 

 teen years, will allow to each of them a sum of expenditure 

 equal to forty-eight thousand three hundred and forty-six 

 piastres, two reals and a half. 



The price of quicksilver has been subjedt to many variations. 

 In the year 1786, this metal produced sixty piastres per quintal ; 

 and rose gradually to seventy- three, which was its current 

 value at the commencement of 1 791. There have beeii times -» 

 when it has been still dearer, and other moments when it has -^ 



even brought less than the former of the above prices, accord- 



. . ■ i- 



* From the ist of January 1790, to the end of August of the same year, when 

 Don Pedro De Tagle y Bracho resigned his intendency of this mine, one thousand 

 four hundred and six quintals only were extracted. 



ing 



