Gold Mines of Virginia. 445 
fine specimen of native ore, also pyrites, oxide of iron, oxide of 
copper, sulphate of iron and copper, &c., and indeed many things 
to make a visit to the mine interesting. It is without doubt one 
of the most valuable mines in Virginia; it averages !<h!00 per 
day and often more; and this too vv^ith only six or eight hands, 
and a miserable stamping and washing machinery. Following 
the shaft, the vein seems to widen and at thirty feet below the 
surface presents one of the finest veins imaginable. On bearing 
from it to the west at a distance of fifty feet another equally mas- 
siv<*vein was struck, and on leaving that, another still was found. 
None of which lay in a vertical position, but inclined to the west 
as they approach the surface. Their position clearly indicates 
their great depth. Upon going to the branch or brook at the 
bottom of the hill, it was fou; d that the alluvial sand thrown out 
from the veins, contained large quantities of gold; this, with 
other indications, proved the great depth and extent of the veins, 
also the existence of native gold through the whole range Years 
ago much gold was obtained from these branches, by simply wash- 
ing the sand in a tin or iron vessel. Vast stream mines may yet 
be discovered; of this kind many have been productive. Another 
mine, owned by Wm. M. Mosely & Co., is now being worked 
with fine success, though it was once owned by an incorporated 
company and for the want of energy and knowledge, was aban- 
doned. The ore in it is exhaustless, and with the right facilities 
for separating the ore, it will be of great value, and indeed, it 
cannot be otherwise but that the mining district of Virginia will 
yield unbounded wealth to the hard hand of toil and enterprise. 
At the Vaucluse mine in Orange county, preparations are be- 
ing made to introduce the smelting process which has proved so 
eminently successful in Russia and other parts of Europe, and 
which if successful, in the hands of the enterprising proprietors 
of the Vaucluse mine, will give to this branch of industry 
an impetus hitherto unknown in this country. Indeed, I know 
of no subject which is more worthy the attention of the man 
of science and the capitalist, than this mining district of Virginia. 
Birth, Parentage, and Education of a Book. — The following 
twenty-five occupations are engaged in the production of a single 
book: The author, rag-merchant, paper-maker, stationer, pen- 
maker, ink-maker, type-founder, press-maker, roll-maker, chase- 
maker, compositor, press-man, reader, folder, gatherer, sticher, 
twine-maker, thread-merchant, leather-seller, binder, coppersmith, 
designer, engraver, copper-plate printer, and bookseller. 
