John Taylor

“ The draining the deep shaft in the centre of the hill, and the ventilation of the tunnel, having been some time since provided for.
It does not often happen that the processes of the miner lead to so much geological discovery as might be expected; the works he undertakes follow the course of the vein he is exploring, or are confined within a small space bordering upon it. As the veins are sought after in but very few varieties of rock, so the number that are laid open to view is generally limited compared with those that exist in mining districts. ”

“ If we turn from the country on the east and north of Morwel Down, to that on the west of it, we shall find that the Cornwall side of the river Tamar is more diversified in the rocks that occur; killas generally prevails, but granite crowns the summit of Kithill, which rises gradually from the banks of the river to the height of 1400 feet, and the same rock is to be found near the base of the mountain, at Gunnis Lake Copper Mine, near New Bridge, and again a little higher up the stream, at a place called the Clitter, a provincial word, signifying a collection of loose masses of rock. ”

“ On many lodes considerable sums of money have been expended, without discovering sufficient quantities of ore to repay the disbursements, and on many the loss has been heavy; in other instances, though the fewer in number, mines have been established which have produced very large quantities of ore, principally of copper, and have paid the adventurers very handsome profits. ”