Alston Moor: its pastoral people: its mines and miners; from the earliest periods to recent times

Preface

. The object of the following pages is to give, in a handy form, information relating to the Pastoral People, and to the Mines and Miners of Alston Moor, the chief portions of which exist only in expensive county histories and unpublished manu scripts. For the information relating to the Manor of Alston, and to the quantities of lead produced from the mines in ancient times, I am greatly indebted to Hodgson's History of South Tynedale. His statements bearing on the mines have been carefully sifted, and I trust this part of the work will prove interesting to readers generally. The portion on the origin of metals is the result, in a condensed form, of much labour and careful observation, in the mining districts of the North of England, during many years. It is hoped that, in connection with the facts given in my book on the Laws which Regulate the Deposition of Lead Ore, &c, the propositions in this volume will aid miners in the selection of objects for speculation in the veins of Carboniferous rocks.

In connection with chemical science they may be regarded as instantiae crucis, pointing the way to Truth's portals, through which, by future labours and researches, entrances may be obtained leading to her inner chambers. This will be accomplished when the laws, by which metals are evolved and formed near the earth's surface, are demonstrated by chemical l'REFACE. analysis, — the great problem which awaits solution, and which, when solved, must affect chemical theory, and narrow the basis on which this important science rests. In order to make the different subjects clear, a few repetitions were found to be unavoidable. Every care has been taken to ensure correct statements of facts and dates ; though in a work of this character, a total freedom from error cannot be anticipated. Circumstances over which I possessed little control have delayed its publication for several years.

Recently a few notes have been added before it was sent to the press. It only remains to acknowledge debts of obligation to friends who have kindly aided iee passing it through the press, and who have given information of comparatively recent events. Battleborough, Appleby. CONTENTS. THE PASTORAL PEOPLE. Page The country first traversed by hunting parties of savage men - - i Probable date of a settled population 6 Grants to the Vetriponts and changes of Ownership - - - - 9 Deer Forests ----------- 39 Population at different periods -------- 42 THE GAME LAWS 50 RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. Introduction of Christianity 57 Established Churches ----- 59 Protestant Dissenters in the 17th Century, &-c. 67 SCHOOLS Grammar School at Alston and Garrigill - : - - - - 78 Schools at Garrigill and Nenthead 80 CHARITIES. 87 MARKET CROSS. 91 THE MINES.

Date uncertain when first worked ------- 94 No evidence that the Romans worked the Mines .... idem First records respecting the Mines ------- 99 Account of rents paid to Royalty 100 No extensive mining works in early times 103 Extent of the Mines of Carlisle 107 Value of lead in 1177 .111 THE MINING COMPANIES. History of, and result of their works 114 ON THE MODES OF MINING. As practised by the Egyptians &c. 137 The Stock and feather process 138 Application of Gunpowder 139 Orderly methods adopted 140 Engines employed H2 VI CONTENTS Page WASHING PROCESSES 145 ON THE SMELTING OF LEAD. On Bayle Hills ----------- 147 Methods practised by the Romans - 148 Silver more important to Royalty than lead 150 First attempts to smelt metals with pit-coal ----- 152 Introduced by the Quaker Company, date of - - - - - *53 Ryton and other Mills erected - * 54 Pattinson's process for the concentration of Silver - 156 Other recent methods noticed -------- 157 Zinc ore produced in recent years ------- 160 ON WAGES OF MINERS &c. In early periods, effect of legal interference with - 161 ON THE ORIGIN OF METALS.

Knowledge of, obtained by mining in the Mountain Limestones - - 170 ON THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF MINING IN ALSTON MOOR. 183 SCENERY. Position of Garrigill, Alston and Nenthead ------ 194 First Bridge across the Tyne -------- 200 Waterfalls -- .-. 203 Sunrise viewed from the top of Crossfell 208 Effects of the setting sun contrasted - - 209 With the scenery in Winter 212