It required considerable exertion on my part, when standing directly over it, to lift it from the ground.

The load was considered under weight when found to be 197 pounds.

The apire had carried this up eighty perpendicular yards,--part of the way by a steep passage, but the greater part up notched poles, placed in a zigzag line up the shaft.

According to the general regulation, the apire is not allowed to halt for breath, except the mine is six hundred feet deep.

The average load is considered as rather more than 200 pounds, and I have been assured that one of 300 pounds (twenty-two stone and a half) by way of a trial has been brought up from the deepest mine! At this time the apires were bringing up the usual load twelve times in the day; that is 2400 pounds from eighty yards deep; and they were employed in the intervals in breaking and picking ore.
These men, excepting from accidents, are healthy, and appear cheerful.