The wonders of the world : $b a complete museum, descriptive and pictorial, of the wonderful phenomena and results of nature, science and artAbbott, John Loraine
Science
The wonders of the world : $b a complete museum, descriptive and pictorial, of the wonderful phenomena and results of nature, science and art
Abbott, John Loraine
Curiosities and wonders
The traveler’s curiosity is first attracted by the hydraulic machines
which convey the water to the different quarters, and the power of which
is such, that one of the wheels has a diameter of not less than
forty-four feet. Another wheel, of proportionate magnitude, is employed
to raise the ore from the mine to the surface of the earth, and is
admirably constructed. Regular circles are placed on each side, and
round these the chain rises, taking a larger or smaller circumference,
in proportion to the necessary circle to be made, so as to
counterbalance the weight, and consequently the increased motion of the
bucket.
Exteriorly, a vast chasm of a tremendous depth presents itself to the
view. This being the part of the mine which was first opened, either
through the ignorance or neglect of those who had then the management of
the works, the excavations so weakened the foundations of the hill, that
the whole fell in, leaving a most chaotic scene of precipitated rocks,
and a gaping gulf resembling the mouth of a volcano. Great care has been
since taken that no such disaster should again occur. Plans and sections
are drawn of all the galleries, &c.; and where the prosecution of the
works in the same direction might be dangerous, orders are issued for
the miners to stop, and an iron crown is fixed on the spot, as a
prohibition ever to proceed further. The workmen then explore in a
different direction, while every subterraneous excavation is nicely
watched.
The traveler passes into the great chasm by a range of wooden steps,
which cross, in a variety of directions, the rough masses of fallen
rocks, of gravel, and of the ancient machinery. Ere he reaches the
entrance of the cavern, he has to descend nearly two hundred feet, and
this being accomplished, proceeds horizontally to a considerable
distance within. He now loses the pure air of day, and gradually
breathes an oppressive vapor, which rolls toward him, in volumes, from
the mouths of a hundred caves leading into the main passage. He now
feels as if he were inhaling the atmosphere of Tartarus. The Swedish
iron mines which have been described, are mere purgatories when compared
with this satanic dwelling. The descent is performed entirely by steps
laid in the winding rock; and, in following the subterraneous declivity,
the traveler reaches the tremendous depths of these truly Stygian
dominions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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