94 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



serious loss, and even ruin to a colliery proprietor. This is particu- 

 larly of consequence in the present day when speculation is rife, and 

 new pits and levels are opened every month, often by persons 

 who have no practical acquaintance whatever with mining affairs. 

 It is, therefore, the interest of everybody having mineral pro- 

 perty to use their best endeavours, not only to develope the know- 

 ledge of existing faults in the strata, but also to correct present 

 inaccuracies. 



There are few coal-fields in which the Lower Measures can be so 

 conveniently studied, on account of the large area over which they are 

 spread, their extreme regularity, and the generally gentle angle at 

 which they crop out. Tliis, however, does not apply so much to the 

 measures of the south crop. The Middle and Upper measures are 

 by no means so generally to be found, owing to the extensive denu- 

 dation that has been shown to be carried on in subsequent ages to their 

 dejDOsition. As they are chiefiy found in Glamorganshire and Car- 

 marthenshire, I will first confine myself to the eastern or Monmouth- 

 shire district, embracmg from the Pontypool valley to that of the 

 Taff. The mountain-limestone of the Blorenge forms the western 

 boundary of the coal-field, and is a prominent object for many a long 

 mile, commanding as it does views of the Old Red which lies at its 

 feet, the Silurian upthrow of U sk, and the woods of the Forest of 

 Dean, with the Channel and the Somerset hills as a background to 

 as lovely a view as any in England. In a break of the hills, through 

 which the Afon emerges, Pontypool is situated, a town with the 

 usual amount of busy population and dirt which is displayed in the 

 iron-work districts. Nevertheless, it is honom^ably mentioned as 

 being one of the very first seats of the iron-trade which was com- 

 menced in 1560 by an ancestor of the present Lord Lieutenant, one 

 Richard Hanbury, a worthy goldsmith of the city of London, who 

 used charcoal furnaces. Charcoal was generally employed for smelt- 

 ing prior to the discovery of coal, and many of the neighbouring Inlls, 

 now bare, were evidently once upon a time covered with timber 

 which was cut down to supply the trade. At the time of Mr. Han- 

 bury's undertaking, the whole of the mineral property was let for 

 uuw shillings and fom-pence, the rental now sho^^^ing a value more 

 like (hat of house-room in London. 



