352 
CHAP. 
IV. 
Bakbany(u 
Situation 
of the 
Gold 
Mink. 
Rich qua- 
lity of the 
Ores. 
FROM THE CAPITAL OF THE BANNAT, 
May 13. — ^We journeyed from Parkany by 
Komend, Zelitz\ and Leiva, to Bakabanya; where 
there are mines o^ gold and silver. The country 
we passed resembled the county of Kent; 
and was remarkable for its high degree of cul- 
tivation. It was ten o'clock p. m. before we 
reached Balicihanya, in one of those delightful 
evenings common at this season of the year. 
The mine of Bakabanya is hardly mentioned by 
Born, although the v/orks here have existed 
above four hundred years. Nothing can be 
more agreeably picturesque than its situation, 
between the town and the mountains; amidst 
groves of fruit-trees, that were now covered 
with blossoms; being also shaded by enormous 
oaks and other large trees of the forest. The 
inhabitants consider their Mine of Bakabanya 
as ranking next in importance to those of 
Cremnitz, not only for the gold it annually yields, 
but also for the silver. In our account of the 
(l) "We met upon this road an immense caravan of corn, marching 
towards the Dciiinbc. The appearance of this beautiful country, although 
surrounded by mountains, reminded us of the county of A't'/if. The 
cottages are remarkable for their great cleanliness; and there are nume- 
rous villages. The district between Zelitz and Leiva is the most beau- 
tiful imaginable, being full of rich meadows and fields of corn, everywhere 
thick set with noble oaks. We passed the Gran in a boat, before arriving 
at Lewa, a small but clean village ; where, after some hesitation whether 
we should proceed by Bath or Bakabanya, we decided for the latter, on 
account of its mines." — Cripps's MS. Journal. 
