CHAPTER V.
TIN MINING
The granite eruptions in Devon and Cornwall — Elvans—Lodes—Tin passing into copper—Stream-tin—Story of S. Piran and S. Chigwidden—Dartmoor stream-tin—Joseph of Arimathea—The Cassiterides —Jutes—Danish incursions—Tin in King John's time—Richard, Earl of Cornwall—Elizabeth introduces German engineers—Stannary towns—Carew on mining—Blowing-houses—Miners' terms—Stannary Courts—Dr. Borlase on tin mining—Present state.
I REMEMBER being at a ball many years ago at that epoch in the development of woman when her "body" was hooked along her dorsal ridge. Now I learn from competent authorities that it is held together in other fashion.
There was at the ball a very lusty stout lady in slate-grey satin.
By nature and age, assisted by victuals, she was unadapted to take violent exercise. Nevertheless dance she would. Dance she did, till there ensued an explosion. Hooks, eyes, buttons, yielded, and there ensued an eruption of subjacent material. In places the fastenings held so that the tumescent under-garments foamed out at intervals in large bulging masses.
This is precisely what took place with Mother
