♦MINERALOGY. 71 



selves by the assertion that the individuals of that profession 

 are in general cheats and impostors, from whom pun6luality, 

 in the discharge of their debts, is not to be expe6led. I do 

 not deny but that, in our corporation, as well as in all the 

 classes of which society is constituted, cheats and impostors 

 are to be found ; and that, in despight of the vigilance of 

 the supreme authorities, many improper persons have been 

 admitted into the associated body of miners. Among the 

 apostles a Judas was found ; but on that account the punish- 

 ment due to the atrocity of his crime was not inflidled on his 

 brethren. It oftentimes happens that the most upright miner 

 is obliged, in a manner, to depart from the integrity of his 

 principles. He cannot find prote6lion when he speaks of his 

 mine without enthusiasm, and without exaggerating the ad- 

 vantages it presents. When he shews the ores, they are de- 

 preciated ; and physical securities are required of him, when 

 he can merely urge a probable perspe6live. Finally, he is 

 sensible that avarice di<States the succours which are afforded 

 to him. It must be acknowledged that these are powerful 

 temptations, to induce him to begin by exaggeration, and to 

 conclude by falsehood. 



" Relatively to the accusation brought against the miners, 

 of a want of pun6luality in the discharge of their obligations, 

 much is to be said. Nature at times enriches them ; and at times 

 they are oppressed by the cruelty of men. Among those who 

 tyrannize over them, t\iQ habilit adores^ or money-lenders, are 

 the most conspicuous. In payment of the sums they have ad- 

 vanced, they receive the ^zVzis; at the low rate of six piastres 

 four reals, and occasionally at six piastres two reals, al- 

 though, in proportion to the price of the fused metal, it is 



worth 



