The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-14
BOOK NOTICES.

REPORT OF J. Ross BROWNE ON THE MINERAL RE-
SOURCES OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES WEST
OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. Published by auth0-
rity Of Congress.
The explorations and researches into the mineral
resources of the States and Territories west OF tho
Rocky Mountains, with the mining statistics en-
bodied in this report authorized by Congress,
and the work has been published by order Of that
body at the government printing office, Washington.
Mr.. ]. Ross Browne, who is now our Minister to
China, spent many years OF labor and exploration to
collect the mass Of valuable facts contained in the
report, and while doing this he employed as assist
ants the ablest biologists, mneralogsts satsticans
and experts. 1t is very thorough and reliable work
and will prove Of great value to the government a.
to miners and capitalists.
Mr.. Browne estimates the total product of bullion
In the States and Territories west Of the Rocky Noun
tains since 1s4S to be Of which California
has produced 5000. OOO, OOO He believes, too, there
has been an unnecessary loss Of precious metals
since the discovery OF the mines in 184S from waste
full systems Of mining and from want Of proper know
edge Of how work mines of more than $500 900.
The general condition Of the mining interest now II
encouraging, and there are fewer individual losses
than In former years. In fact the yield Of the mines
has become comparatively steady and reliable,
though In California the annual product has not
been as great as formerly in consequence Of large
amount Of labor and capital having been turned 70
agriculture and other pursuits Still he considers
that legitimate mining has been. as prosperous a.
other pursuits, Notwithstanding the hazard and un-
certainty attached to this business. While the placer
mines or washings have been giving out the regular
system of mining veins and lodes and working the
ores by machinery has comparatively been extended
and improved.
He recommends Congress to establish national
school OF mines similar to those that have been es-
tablished in various parts Of Europe. He believes
that such an institution, on good basis ana pro.
pery conducted, would result In a large annual
Increase in our bullion product. Instead OF dechns
ing to forty or fity millions year, as WIN be the
might be an increase Of hundred per cent That u
to say we might, with miners and mining engineers
properly educated, reach 2 steady product Of over
cultural and other pursuits would continue to be
developed and carried on: It Is to be hoped Con-
and most useful institution.
The estimated production Of gold and silver in all
the principal countries OF the world during the year
1857 was SIT, GOO ooo OF which the United states
TO those who are interested or wish to be interested
in mining property, to practical miners, geologsts
and mineraOgists all over the world to statstfctane,
to political economists who study the sources ana
influence Of wealth and to the statesman this rep0rs
will be found both interesting and useful: 1t Is e
full precise and accurate in all the details OF tho
mines opened and worked and OF their nature e
such work could be. In word, 1t Is brlmfuH q
information pertaining to the mineral character ana
tanning much valuable Information relative to tho
agriculture trade and progress OF that region OF our
country.
THE LONDON MAGAZINES.
Brentano has favored us with the latest copies OF
The Cornhfu Magazine, Temple Bar, London Society,"
Belgrartd and Saint Pauus edited by Anthony Troll.
lope. with Illustrations by Millas). At Brentano's
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