226 



COPPii.H MINES, 



the present level of the sea. I likewise 

 found amongst the shells, a piece of a trunk 

 of a tree petrified, which most likely grew 

 in the neighbourhood previously to the 

 deluge. 



At eight we arrived at a small village, 

 and stopped at the curate s house to break- 

 fast ; he proved to be the gambling parson ; 

 but although so much engrossed by the dice 

 as not to salute us when we first met, he 

 now made ample amends by the cordial 

 reception he gave us. I found him a libe- 

 ral-minded clever man, though he makes 

 much more by gambling than by preach- 

 ing, having lately at one sitting won four 

 thousand dollars. Here we were joined by 

 the owner of the copper mines we were 

 going to visit. At one we arrived at the small 

 village of Muniquera, and dismounted at 

 the house of the Alcalde. The owner in- 

 stantly sent for two of his workmen, pro- 



