P R E F A C E .
D e r b y s h i r e has ever been copfidered
as one of the chief mining counties
in the kingdom, and was known to
produce lead ore at a very early period.
Since the Roman invafion, its mines have
fupplied the greateft part of Europe with
their produce. It appears that the Saxons
introduced their method of working the
A 2 mines,
