ON THE LOCATIONS OF MINES

consideration, not only to thinking about having to build the said facility original: "edificio"; in this context, it refers to the smelting plant or processing works, but also making it as strong as necessary, and convenient for bringing the ore and the charcoal to it, so that in each of these activities, time, labor, and also expense may be saved. For these are things that each matter on their own, and all the more so when many are combined together. But because one cannot always have everything perfectly for every convenience, one must weigh which of the two offers more benefit: having the charcoal more convenient, or the ore, to the building. One should bring these things as close as possible, if the convenience of water Water was essential for powering bellows and hammers in early modern smelting works. allows it—although, if it were possible, it would be better if all these conveniences were found together. But they cannot be had except as they are placed by chance.

NOW in conclusion, besides what I have told you about finding mines, and excavating them, and all the other considerations mentioned, I tell you and exhort you to put into practice the possession of a mine of some metal that is yours. For with it, you will find the opportunity to raise yourself to those supreme riches that you desire, and which your merits also ought to have. Therefore, I remind you that once the mountain is found and digging has begun to find the ore, you should always go forward courageously with every care and diligence, using your ingenuity original: "ingegno"; refers to technical skill, wit, and mechanical invention, with firmness of spirit and good judgment. In this endeavor, both will serve you in place of eyes to penetrate where you cannot reach with them.

Nor should you believe what many say and believe: that such things are found by chance while digging. For even if it could be so, a man should trust more in art and good practice original: "prattica"; practical experience and empirical knowledge than in chance. AND in entering the mountain with the excavation, remember to direct the cut of the mine so that it crosses the vein original: "filon della minera" of the ore when you have reached it. For if you followed it along its course, it could be that you went along with it for a long distance at the thickness of a finger, or perhaps less, whereby you could easily lose it without ever finding it again.

THE same could happen to you when starting an excavation if, out of cowardice and grieving over the expense, you abandoned it. This happens to many who, not finding the ore at the first strikes as they would wish, despair of being able to find it and leave it as not only useless but harmful. They think they gain enough if they do not add more expense to what they call a loss, and thus, enraged, they abandon the undertaking. They do not think that they may have left the fruit to another who follows their enterprise, who perhaps in less than a cubit original: "brazzo"; an old Italian unit of length, roughly 23-27 inches, or even a palm original: "palmo"; about 3-4 inches, or two fingers' breadth, found the surface of that ore. Whereby it can be said that those people have voluntarily abandoned their happiness, as has happened to many.

AND THEREFORE whoever begins to dig should think well of continuing, casting away all cowardice and not fearing the weariness of the path, finally putting into it all his power with possible diligence and without regret. I want honor and profit to result for him instead of shame and loss. AND TO YOU, if