follow him toward the collection of buildings, which are entirely of brick, made near the works. The uses of these has been already described. The principal one is that devoted to the smelting, familiarly known as "the works." The furnaces are constructed on plans which have metically. As the ore becomes sublimated the only been matured after several years of study; vapors pass through a series of twelve compartfor after dispatching agents to the quicksilver ments, entering the one nearest the fire from the mines of Almaden in Spain, for information on top, the second from the bottom, and so alternthese matters, it was found that the modes pur- ating. In their passage through these compartsued there were but continuations of the barbar-ments such of the vapors as become condensed ous usages of three centuries ago. Finding that nothing was to be learned thence, Yankee skill was set at work to think out improvements. There are, as explained by Dr. Ure, three kinds of apparatus for the distillation of mercury: the furnace, called a galley; the furnace with aludels, or earthen pots, used in subliming any substance; and the large apparatus at Idria. The latter has been adopted as the model in the New Almaden. Entering the works, we find a row of sixteen furnaces ranged side by side, extending a distance of several hundred feet. These stand under cover of roofs resembling those placed over a distillery, with blinds for the free escape of poisonous fumes. They stand some eight feet apart, and are forty feet in length, ten in height, and eight in breadth. The appearance of the building in which they are inclosed is shown in the engraving of the hacienda. The ore, after being thoroughly cleaned and broken to the required size, is wheeled in barrows from the pile where it is deposited, along the tops of the furnaces and turned into the receptacles, which are of uniform capacity and open at the tops. These will contain about 7 tons of ore each. After being filled, they are closed her flow in the form of quicksilver through numerous small holes into covered troughs, attached to the outside of the furnaces their entire length, through which the metal is conducted to an iron vat, the size of a half hogshead, sunk into the ground. This is the operation of one furnace. That of the others is in every respect the same. A high degree of heat is not required to smelt the ore, though 680° is necessary to convert the metal into a red oxyd. Such of the vapor as has not condensed in its passage through the partitions reaches a wooden condenser or reservoir of water, over the surface of which the exhalations pass, and by this contrivance much of the metal not secured in its passage through the furnace-condensers is saved. Each of the furnaces is provided with a large wooden chimney forty feet in height, and from which there are constantly pouring clouds of arsenical vapors, though their quantity is greatly reduced by the precautions now used to prevent their escape; for independent of their deleterious effects, every atom of volatile matter thus dispersed contains its proportion of mercury. The tops of thesc chimneys are quite coated with cakes of white arsenic, hanging around their mouths like masses of ice about a house spout in winter. At stated pe to its obstructing riods these are carefully cleaned and the arsenic The one following represents this furnace cut into two lengthwise, revealing the whole internal arrangement; the ore in its receptacle ready for sublimating, the position of the fire, and the apertures connecting the different cells or condensing chambers through which the vapors pass and change into quicksilver. CONDENSING FURNACE. We have now followed the process of mining | road to the patio is in such bad condition as to and distilling the quicksilver. A general out-retard the travel to and from the mine. They line of the operation only can be given in these limits. The details would require an elaborate work, and as much abstruse scientific study as has been devoted to the subject by the savans of Europe and America. require less heat than the native ore; some of which, however, is introduced into the furnace with them, either to economize space or to facilitate the process of smelting. It now only remains to return a while to the Foreigners who are acquainted with the sub-furnaces and witness the operation of filling the ject, assert that not even the great works of Idria can now compare in extent or completeness with those of Almaden. It is a commonly received statement that more than half a million of dollars have been expended by the company in California, Mexico, Spain, and Germany, to bring their works to their present perfection. The old furnaces have been long discarded, and the new series are master-pieces of elaborate masonry, they are lined inside with a peculiar composition such as constant and costly experiment has demonstrated to be best calculated to save the metal. Brick-making has been referred to as a part of the labor at the works. These are made in the patio at the mouth of the mine, of the siftings which are too fine for the furnaces, owing flasks from the iron vat into which SECTION OF CONDENSING FURNACE The flasks are now carted to the "embarca- | As early as 1851-the year following the comdero" of Alviso, and sent thence to San Francisco, whence they are exported chiefly to Mexico and South America. mencement of the workings-there were obtained 1800 quintals (180,000 pounds) of quicksilver with only six ill-regulated furnaces, which might be called "disimprovements" or those of Idria. This amount was distilled in about nine months, and was even then considerably larger than the whole amount produced at Idria. The all Europe may be surmised from the fact that the annual yield of the mines on the Bavarian Rhine provinces is from 400 to 500 quintals (say 4500 pounds). That of Almaden, in Spain, in 1827, was 22,000 quintals. As the European mines do not appear to have been benefited by any important improvements for many years, it is likely that the amount coming thence does not annually increase as in the New Almaden. The first lady who accomplished the feat of exploring the New Almaden mine to its uttermost depths, and from whose interesting account, given in 1854, some useful hints have been obtained, speaks in the highest terms of the lib-proportion which this offered to the product of eral spirit of the company, manifested in their treatment of their employés-securing the best men, and retaining them by their best interests. "Had the ore proved less rich," she remarks, "or had not a far-seeing and enlightened policy actuated them, the company would, ere this, have been plunged in irretrievable ruin, as their outlays have amounted to but little short of their proceeds." This was three years since-quite an age in California. If the company have expended half a million of dollars up to this date in experiments and improvements, they may be supposed to have completed their outlays in those respects. They have at least the reputation of maintaining a prudent secrecy regarding all their expenses and receipts. Visitors are amused with interesting anecdotes about the miners, the process of smelting, and the danger of poisonous vapors; but few are able to obtain any reliable data, details, or statistics of the business. And doubtless the proprietors are right in this reserve. Other companies may at any time be formed to work mines of cinnabar, indications of which have already been discovered, and the results of their experiments and outlays are equal to so much capital invested. It is not difficult, however, to arrive at some approximation of the receipts of the association. By referring to the records in the United States Custom-house at San Francisco, it appears that in 1853 there were exported from the State 18,800 flasks of quicksilver (of 75 pounds each), or 1,410,000 pounds, valued at $683,189, at the rate of fifty cents per pound. In the following year (1854) the amount had increased to 1,449,000 pounds, valued at the same rate at $724,500; and this did not include what was used in the State for mining purposes, which, with the incredible growth of the new system of " "hydraulic mining," now superseding all others, consumes, it is safe to say, a quarter of the entire product of the New Almaden. About 1,500,000 pounds (or 19,320 flasks) were exported in 1854 to foreign countries. The ore of the New Almaden, which, as has been observed, is solely sulphurets of mercury, the rarest known, exceeds in richness that of any other on record. Although its average is 36 per cent., specimens have been found with the incredible yield of 72 per cent. of mercury. These are not uncommon, and sometimes the most beautiful crystals of sulphuret of mercury are discovered. In 1812, at the works of Idria, 56,686 quintals of ore yielded 4832 quintals of quicksilver, or about 84 per cent. When it is stated that blocks of metalliferous rock yielding only one per cent. are worked in Europe with some profit, the value of the California mine may be estimated. No native or virgin quicksilver has yet been found. The mine is apparently inexhaustible. The proprietors sometimes raise ghosts in the shape of water rushing in and compelling them to abandon the work, or the leads suddenly giving out, but no grounds exist for any such apprehensions. The Almaden mines in La Mancha set into the Sierra Morena in much the same manner that the New Almaden does into the Santa Cruz range. The first has yielded steadily for over two thousand years without diminution, and there is no likelihood of the latter becoming exhausted. mine than at any other; but even here, to such a degree is the air filled with the volatile poison, that gold coins and watches on the persons of those engaged about the furnaces become galvanized and turn white. In such an atmosphere one would seem to inhale death with every respiration. Factitious or manufactured cinnabar-vermilion-has not yet entered into the exports from California; the process of making it is no longer a secret, as in former times, and may yet become a source of wealth to the State. But the native cinnabar, of a deep red and brown color, abounds, and, as has already been stated, served the aboriginal inhabitants of California and Oregon as a pigment. The miners have their local rules and regulations, which are rigidly observed among themselves and recognized by the officers of the company. They are paid by the amount of ore they bring daily to the surface, and each day's work is carefully noted as it is deposited in separate piles in the patio. The work is carried on by gangs of from five to a dozen, according to the size of the shaft which is being worked; and the week's earnings count up in proportion to the quality of the surrounding rock and the consequent ease or difficulty of the labor. Where the rock is remarkably easy, the gang which has fortunately been employed in that direction sells out or oftener gambles away the right to pursue the vein. Formerly the workmen averaged from $30 to $50 a week a piece, but of late the average earnings have been less owing to the decreased wages. Sometimes a lazy, loafing fellow obtains employment and fails to One of the most curious circumstances connected with the New Almaden mine is the effect produced by the mercurial vapors upon the surrounding vegetation. Despite the lofty chimneys, and the close attention that has been devoted to the secret of effectually condensing the volatile matter, its escape from the chimneys withers all green things around. Every tree on the mountain-side above the works is dead, and some of more sensitive natures farther removed exhibit the influence of the poison in their shrunken and blanched foliage; but these effects do not extend to any great distance. Cat-perform his part; if this is continued, the entle feeding within half a mile of the hacienda sicken, and become salivated; and the use of the waters of a spring rising near the works is guarded against. It does not, however, affect a medicinal spring near by, which possesses the peculiar qualities of soda or Congress water. The workmen at the furnaces are particularly subjected to the poisonous fumes. These men are only able to work one week out of four, when they are changed to some other employment, and others take their place for a week. Pale, cadaverous faces and leaden eyes are the consequence of even these short. spells; and any length of time continued at this labor effectually shortens life and impregnates the system with mercury. A French traveler, describing the Almaden mines of Spain, states that the workmen, owing to the great quantity of vapors escaping, become feeble at an early age, and suffer the most cruel maladies. They generally die a premature death. The atmosphere is charged far and near with the fatal poison, which a proper attention might do much to prevent, and serve to increase the profits of the works. These accounts may be easily believed when it is known that ores which by analysis leave no doubt that they are half quicksilver, are made to yield only 10 per cent. Probably less mercury escapes from the present works of the New Almaden gineer places him among a smart gang where he is obliged to keep pace with the rest or quit the employ. With the extracting of the ore the miner's business ceases. It is brought to the surface by the tanateros, who are paid by the company. Each gang selects one of their party to receive their pay at the end of the week, who, though perhaps capable of inserting a cuchillo under your ribs in revenge, or possess himself of your purse, maintains an inviolable faith with his fellows. At an elevation of a few hundred feet above the patio, on the mountain side, is situated a village inhabited exclusively by the miners. Here may be seen a genuine Mexican aldea in full perfection. The houses, or rather huts, are thatched with straw; placid-looking donkeys stand musing at the doors; chocolate-colored brats with huge paunches and shocks of frouzy hair sprawl about in the sunshine screaming and quarreling in infantile Spanish; mangy dogs, pigs, goats, and fleas wander in and out at random à la Mexico; bedraggled señoritas pass by with the peculiar careless saunter of the aguadora, balancing her burden on her head; and here, as in every other collection of Spanish Americans, no matter how far removed from home, one may notice the adherence to the national customs, to which the Mexican in particu |