INTRODUCTION. xvii the following pages, which have been exceedingly rich, and may become so again. There is no natural rivalry in the business of mining in a district where there is room for the exertions of all; the produce is easily disposed of without injurious competition, and the effect of increased production upon prices is so gradual, that all will participate in its advantages before the consequent depression will be sensibly felt. No foolish jealousies, therefore, ought to prevail; English miners will carry out the same friendly feelings as exist in their own country, where mutual assistance is cordially afforded, and where the improvement designed by one is freely exhibited to all. Common danger is said to be a bond of union; and the usual risks and uncertainties of mining are sufficient in themselves to induce co-operation in order to overcome them. Many unforeseen difficulties may be found in a new country, and time, patience, and discretion may be required to avoid and surmount them. New processes or modes of working should be introduced with caution, с and prejudices should be respected, rather than the success of the undertaking should be endangered by injudicious attempts at premature alterations. After the value of an improvement is known and acknowledged, no objection will be made to its adoption : there are few cases where proof of this kind may not be given by small beginnings, and a gradual progress towards perfection may thus be made. The advance may be somewhat slower, but it will be proportionably more The whole business of mining is experimental; hardly a shaft is sunk or a level driven, but it is, as we properly say, for the purpose of trial. The modes in which such trials or experiments may be made, may be various, and there are few but have something to recommend them, or which do not deserve some consideration. A skilful sure. miner knows how to select and combine such operations, and the most unskilful may be guided into the right path by temperate advice and judicious example. I would insist much on this point for the consideration of such persons as may go from England, be INTRODUCTION. xix cause I have seen well-devised projects, even in this country, endangered by hasty and indiscreet measures which encouraged opposition or jealousy. The Mexican people will eventually be much benefited by the application and use of our steam-engines, and probably by some other improvements we may carry with them. They invite our assistance in a friendly manner, and there is no doubt that the enlightened part of the nation will regard us favourably we ought to do our part to deserve their confidence and support; a connexion may thus be established which may be beneficial to the present and future generations of both countries. It is impossible to calculate to what extent the exchange of the varied and precious productions of the Mexican soil and climate, for those furnished by English industry and capital, may be hereafter carried. A perusal of this little book will show what advantages Mexico has received from Nature, and that, as it is free from the embarrassments of a slave population, there is a fair probability that under a liberal and equitable Government it may rise to a dignity in the scale of enlightened nations, which its extent, position, and internal wealth entitle it to hold. One of the principal difficulties in the application of machinery will arise from the weight of the parts, and the labour of conveying them through the country to the mines which are at considerable distances from the coast. The principal roads are mentioned by M. de Humboldt, and the improvements contemplated, or in part executed; they are still, however, in places, very bad for wheel carriages, and most of the internal commerce is carried on by the use of mules loaded with the goods they transport; a mode which will be inapplicable to many articles and to their conveyance into deep mines. Nothing is more important to a country than good roads, especially in a country like Mexico, where the elevation of the table-land will probably preclude the use of canals: it may be hoped that, under more tranquil and prosperous political circumstances, the Government will attend to INTRODUCTION. xxi and devise means for improvements in this important matter. The subject for the greatest consideration with English miners will be that of fuel, both as it relates to the power to be employed to drain the mines-for which nothing but steamengines can in our present state of knowledge be contemplated, and as it regards the reduction of the ores. If it should be found that the supply of this most essential article is not too limited, we may indeed promise ourselves considerable success; and we may hope to benefit Mexico not only by our machinery, but by substituting a more economical mode of extracting the precious metals. Amalgamation is at present the favourite process, and as long as fuel is scarce it may probably remain so; it may even be difficult to overcome prejudice in this respect, and hazardous to venture on hasty measures to alter the practice but I am of opinion, that if coal in particular, perhaps even turf, which I am told exists in some parts, can be procured, -silver, and perhaps gold also, may be ob |