The mines of Mexico have long been famous, and are not surpassed in richness by those of any other country in the world. Early in the fifteenth century the inhabitants had accumulated wealth from that source, and the glitter of their gold led the avaricious Spaniards to undertake the conquest of the country. Just how long the mines had been worked before the invaders came is not known. After a change of owners, and the improved methods they adopted, the product was greatly increased, and ever since, though subject to many interruptions on account of political disturbances, it has been larger than in any other country except the United States. The Spanish settlers at once engaged in working the mines of Tasco, Pachuca, Zacatecas, and Guanajuato. Cortes selected for himself and worked the gold mines of Techuantepec, and the silver mines of Zacatecas, that were found productive. The mine at Real del Monte, near the city of Mexico, has yielded largely, and enriched several successive owners. And the principal vein at Guanajuato, noted for its richness, is described as ten yards wide, and has been worked a distance of more than eight miles. In the early part of this century the annual product of these mines exceeded twenty-five million dollars, and they seem inexhaustible. The whole of the gold and silver taken from the mines of Mexico up to 1870 was estimated at $4,200,000,000. The seven principal mines of San Luis Potosi are said to be very productive, and the whole of Sinaloa abounds in silver mines. In Sonora there are one hundred and forty-four operated, chiefly producing gold, and a much larger number in which, though productive, work is suspended. Many large mining districts are simply located, and their development delayed, awaiting more ready means of access to them. That country alone, probably, could furnish the world a full supply of the precious metals for centuries, or until they become as plenty and cheap as they were in Jerusalem in the time of Solomon’s reign. Mexico has not only mines of gold and silver, but the country abounds in other minerals of no less importance. Iron, tin, copper, lead, mercury, cinnabar, and nearly all the known metals are more or less abundant. Coal is found in three or four districts, but to what extent, or of what quality we are not informed. The products of the coal fields, and their rich quarries, and of the oil belts, can be but little known till their facilities for transportation are improved.