Page:The Rambler in Mexico.djvu/79

Rh on both sides of the great chain in which the mines are situated. This you will easily conceive, when I enumerate among the points visible within the vast horizon, the plains and lakes of the great valley of Mexico, about twenty leagues distant; the volcanoes of Mexico and Puebla on one hand, and the vale of Regla, and even the great cone of Orizava itself, on the other.

I feel that my description of the mines must of necessity be very brief and insufficient, and that for many details you must be referred to the writings of more sober and laborious writers.

A portion of the first day was devoted to a survey of the superficial operations and works; and on the morning of the second, M'Euen and myself spent six hours under ground, while Pourtales, eschewing fatigue, luxuriated in his grass hammock, smoked five dozen cigaritas, and sipped pulque.

A brief account you have, however, the right to demand.

The great vein of silver ore called the Biscaina, lying in the porphyric rock of this chain, was one of the earliest and most productive of those opened by the Spaniards. It was worked by them with great advantage nearly two hundred years, but circumstances at the beginning of the last century gave rise to its temporary abandonment. It was, however, reopened, and other shafts commenced towards the close of the same century by the Count of Regla, who, in the excavation of an adit, or subterraneous canal, to carry off the waters from the mines, is said to have realized eleven millions of dollars; such being the richness of ore with which he accidentally came in contact. Subsequently difficulties have constrained his descendant to cede his right, as before mentioned; and the Real del Monte Company, after the complete repair of the old works, and the construction of new—the cost and labour of which have been enormous—has at length so far attained its object, that at present the actual proceeds of the mines exceed the expenditure, which here and at Regla is estimated at thirty thousand