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96 There can be no doubt, however, that both Mr. Burkart, and Mr. Moro, are perfectly competent to carry through the undertaking in which they have engaged, provided they are supported by the Shareholders at home; and every one at all acquainted with mining must perceive the immense advantages which would result from it to the Adventurers, as, in all their principal mines, it would ensure both the drainage, and the extraction of Ores, for the space of 132 yards of virgin ground, without the expence of machinery above; which requires not only a permanent investment of capital, but frequent additions, for repairs, as well as for keeping up the supply of animals, by which it must be worked.

In the Autumn of 1826, fifty yards of the great Gallery had been driven, (from the mouth,) and the air-shafts, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12, commenced. Some of these had already attained a considerable depth, but the panic of the Shareholders in England has, I believe, rendered the farther progress of the work extremely slow.

The time which has been consumed in the undertakings, which I have described in the preceding pages, is not more than might have been foreseen, had the nature of the enterprise been inquired into beforehand. The capital required might, undoubtedly, have been less, under better management; but still, it has effected what it was intended to effect, and it has purchased, besides, a stock of experience,