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38 THE REDUCTION WORKS.
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It
is astonishing how one's eyes are opened by a visit to the spot and a
personal acquaintance with the difficulties that had to he overcome. We
are then no longer surprised that crushing had not commenced when
three months had barely elapsed since the arrival of the machinery at
Calicut.
And
further, although it is possible to say that so much has actually been
done, it would be idle to imagine that we had overcome every
difficulty. Much yet remains to be accomplished. Unexpected accidents
may happen; unforeseen contingencies may arise, in spite of the most
careful arrangements. I have no desire to damp the ardour of the many
who are solicitous for immediate results; but in common fairness, let
me plead for patience, and assure all interested in Indian gold-mining,
who are not unnaturally eager to see success accomplished, that the
men who are on the spot are just as anxious as they are, that their
work may soon be completed. But it would be the height of folly to
hurry on such work at the risk of its stability. The utmost care is
necessary in the preparation of the foundations and the proper setting
of the stamping plant. If such work is unduly hastened, it might
perhaps have all to be done over again, and the last delay would then be far worse than the first.
Standing
here on this open space of ground, and watching the busy scene, I could
scarcely help drawing upon my imagination, and picturing to
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