The History of England, from the Revolution to the Death of George the Second (Volume 5-6); (Designed as a Continuation of Mr. Hume's History.)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1793 Excerpt: ... r 64 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. BOOK tons of iron: that as the mines in Great-Britain are IH. inexhaustible, the produce would of tate years have 1757. been considerably increased, had not the people been kept under continual apprehension of seeing American iron admitted duty free: a suppositionwhich had prevented the traders from extending their works, and discouraged many from engaging in this branch of traffic: they alledged that the iron-works already carried on in England occasioned a consumption of one hundred and ninety-eight thoufand cords of wood, produced in coppices that grow upon barren lands, which could not otherwise be turned to any good account: that as the coppices afford shade, and preserve a moisture in the ground, the pasture is more valuable with the wood, than ft would be if the coppices were grubbed up; consequently, all the estates where these now grow would sink in their yearly value: that these coppices, now cultivated and preserved for the use of the iron works, are likewise absolutely necesfary for the manufacture of irather, as they surnish bark for thetanners; and that, according to the management of these coppices, they produced a great number of timber-trees, so necesfary for the purposes of build ing.They asserted, that neither the American iron, nor any that had yet been found in GreatBritain, was so proper for converting into steel as that which comes from Sweden, particularly that fort called ore ground; but as there are mines in the northern parts of Britain, nearly in the fame latitude with those of Sweden, surnished with sufficient quantities of wood, and rivers for mills and engines, it was hardly to be doubted but that people would find. metal metal of the fame quality, and, in a sew years, be Chap. able to prevent the nec...