1822-1824.] 
DUDLEY CAVERNS. 
83 
“ Let us think, if we were deprived of this metal, what 
should we be from a physical view? Thousands of bene¬ 
fits, thousands of conveniences, which we unconsciously 
enjoy every hour, would be withdrawn from us ; and how 
many indispensable necessaries it would be impossible to 
satisfy! Iron, then, has already become incalculably 
precious ; its value to the human race has become, in 
the highest sense of the word, inestimable. Yet still it 
continues to open out possibilities of immeasurable 
importance on quite a new side. By its capability of 
receiving magnetism of extraordinary strength in a 
moment, and of losing it again in as short a time, iron 
becomes an inexhaustible source of power. It ministers 
a mechanical strength to the household, which we can raise 
according to our inclination and render subject to our rule. 
It needs no great boldness of imagination to represent the 
mighty influence which the use of iron has exercised on 
our social relations. As the magnetic power of iron has 
for the last century allowed us to find our way across 
distant seas, so it will, perhaps at no distant period, bring 
together men by land and sea, bridging over vast spaces 
with a speed that outstrips the power of steam and vies 
with the swiftness of the wind. 
“ I cannot end my comments upon this metal of metals 
without telling my readers that the excellent Buckland 
related the history of an old shoe with the most delightful 
humour. It fell into the hands of an African king, and 
brought him riches, renown, and respect, owing to there 
being nails in it! Out of this small piece of iron was 
prepared—I do not know how or of what kind—a tool, 
which his African majesty lent far and wide for gold dust 
and other precious things, and through its means greatly 
raised the amount of his royal revenue. 
“ After another half-hour’s stay underground we gladly 
sought daylight again, and, amid the singing of ‘ God save 
the Queen ’ from a thousand voices and the thundering 
crashes of blasted rocks renewed once more, boats and 
walkers alike left the remarkable vaults of Dudley 
Caverns.” 
