74 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
quantities of copper were found, so far back as 
the year 1751. Want of local capital and energy 
has, however, hitherto allowed it to remain 
wholly undisturbed, until but very lately.* 
In these localities, the ore is found lying in 
granitic beds, and there are large and exten- 
sive amalgamations of gold and silver, as well as 
other metals, to a considerable extent, to be met 
with. These materially increase the intrinsic 
value of the copper ore ; irrespective, of course, 
of their own exclusive working, which might 
not, at the first, be sufficient to encourage the 
miners. 
It is well known, that in Japan, which pro- 
duces as its commonest mineral, the finest and 
most malleable copper in the world, gold, in a 
very considerable quantity, is blended in the 
ore. And also, in the lead mines of Upper 
Louisiana, in North America, the ore is said to 
yield frequently as much as fifty ounces of 
silver to the ton. Let us sanguinely hope that 
those who are now making the enterprising 
effort, of laying bare these hitherto hidden 
riches of Southern Africa, may be amply re- 
warded for their exertions, by the mines of 
wealth; which, it is but reasonable to believe, 
* Messrs. Phillips and King, of Cape Town, are now actively 
employed in working some of these mines, which have repaid their 
energy, not only with copper ore, but also large amalgamations of sil- 
ver and gold. 
