the Depth of the Mines in the Hartz. 407 
be eafy to meafure their depths with a line, and I had 
accordingly provided myfelf with all the neceffary im- 
plements for that purpofe ; but when I arrived at Clauf- 
thal, the principal place of the King’s mines, I found that 
thofe pits, being dug in the direction of the veins of ore, 
are too inclined to make fuch a mode of menfuration 
practicable. 
At firft this gave me great concern, becaufe I had 
my experiments much at heart; but I was foon made 
eafy by Baron reden, captain-general of the mines. 
“ You do not want thefe meafures,” faid he, “ fince it is 
“ of much more confequence to us, than it can poffibly 
** be to you, to know exabtly the depth of all the points 
H of thefe mines. Without fuch knowledge, how could 
“ we direct ourfelves in boring from one to the other ?” 
This confideration did in fadt difpel all the fcruples 
which had made me delirous of meafuring the depths 
myfelf, 
et je m’etois muni des chofes necelfaires a cet effet. Mais lorfque je fus arrived 
Claufthal, chef lieu des mines du Roi, j'appris que ces puits, creufes dans la 
dire&ion des filons, font trop inclines pour que cette efpece de mefure foit 
poflible. J’y eus d’abord beaucoup de regret; parce que j’avois fort a coeur 
ces experiences : mais M. le Baron de reden, capitaine-general des mines, me 
tranquillifa bientot, a Vous n’avez pas befoin de mefurer,? me dit-il, “ il nous 
importe bien plus qu’a vous de connoitre exa&ement la profondeur de tons 
iC les points de ces mines. Sans cela, comment nous dirigerions-nous, pour 
percer de Tune a Tautre?” Cette confideration en efFer, fit difparoitre pleine- 
ment 
