94 
THE GEOLOniST. 
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. This, 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 
deposition. As they are chiefly found in Glamorganshire and Car- 
marthenshire, I will first confine myself to the eastern or Monmouth- 
shire district, embracing from the Pontypool valley to that of the 
Taff. The mountain-limestone of the Blorenge foi-ms 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 Usk, 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 honourably 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 farnaces. Charcoal was generally employed for smelt- 
ing prior to the discovery of coal, and many of the neighbouring hills, 
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 
nine shillings and fourpence, the rental now showing a value more 
like that of house-room in London. 
