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is built, where the workmen are undressed and examined as they
pass through it on leaving their work.
Owing to the great value of this mineral, and the facilities
afforded for disposing of it in an unmanufactured state, the
greatest precaution has sometimes been scarcely sufficient to
keep the workmen from pilfering, and those appointed to overlook
them have not always escaped suspicion; yet, it is but justice to
the present manager to state, that for upwards of fifty years
that he has been employed, he has always sustained an
unimpeachable character.
To prevent the depredations of intruders, it has sometimes been
necessary to keep a strong guard upon the place; and for its
better protection, an Act of Parliament was passed 25th Geo. 2d.
cap. 10th, by which an unlawful entering of any mine, or wadhole
of wad, or black-cawke, commonly called black-lead, or unlawfully
taking, or carrying away any wad, &c. therefrom, as also the
buying, or receiving the same, knowing it to be unlawfully taken,
is made felony. In the preamble of this Act, it is stated to be
'necessary for divers useful purposes, and more particularly in
the casting of bomb-shells, round shot, and cannon balls;'
however, its use in cleaning and glossing cast iron work, such as
stoves, grates, &c. is now well known to every housemaid.
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